The United Kingdom has signed an extradition request for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who faces charges in the US under the Espionage Act.
UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he signed the papers on Wednesday, a day after the US Justice Department formally asked Britain to extradite the 47-year-old Australian.
“First of all I am very pleased the police were able to apprehend him and now he is rightly behind bars because he broke UK law,” Javid told BBC Radio 4 on Thursday.
“There is an extradition request from the US that is before the courts tomorrow but yesterday I signed the extradition order and certified it and that will be going in front of the courts tomorrow,” he added.
Bush dynasty delivers another blow to GOP in Texas Senate battle as family member breaks ranks
Breaking: US Evacuates Middle East in ‘Sudden Exodus’ as ‘Advanced Stages’ of Iranian Assassination Plots Come to Light
Obama prepares to rally with Michigan Dem who once delivered scathing verdict on his presidency
Omar’s deleted tweet could give clue on alleged brother marriage
Trump’s war on drug cartels could gain powerful new ally after pivotal election
Missouri businesswoman and single mom killed when police SUV responding to emergency crashes into her Audi
Cornell rape accuser can remain ‘Jane Doe’ as judge warns threats could lead to federal charges
The parties have flipped on support for Israel
BLUE WAVE CRUSHED? Frank Luntz Warns CNN of Flawed Polling and Defiant Trump Voters
DHS Testing Nonlethal Device That Causes ‘Irresistible Urge to Run’ for Use at Border
The only band that ever mattered was … the Monkees
Beloved Pastor and His 3-Year-Old Son Killed in Tragic Accident
Department of War Releases New Batch of UFO Files, Including Data on ‘Black Triangle’ Incidents from This Year
Marriage Certificate from 1997 May Confirm the Real Identity of ‘Ilhan Omar’ and Her Marriage to Her Brother
Canada is feeling the pain from Trump’s tariffs — but the trade fight didn’t start overnight
The US will detail all charges against Assange on Friday, when it seeks his extradition in a London court.
US prosecutors initially charged Assange with a single count of computer intrusion, but last month added 17 new counts, including controversial charges under the
Espionage Act for encouraging, receiving and publishing national defense information in concert with former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.
Such a charge under the Espionage Act has never been successfully prosecuted, according to CNN legal analyst Steve Vladeck.
Assange’s initial indictment sparked a debate over the First Amendment and whether his alleged role in procuring secret US material constituted protected journalistic activity.
Bush dynasty delivers another blow to GOP in Texas Senate battle as family member breaks ranks
Breaking: US Evacuates Middle East in ‘Sudden Exodus’ as ‘Advanced Stages’ of Iranian Assassination Plots Come to Light
Obama prepares to rally with Michigan Dem who once delivered scathing verdict on his presidency
Omar’s deleted tweet could give clue on alleged brother marriage
Trump’s war on drug cartels could gain powerful new ally after pivotal election
Missouri businesswoman and single mom killed when police SUV responding to emergency crashes into her Audi
Cornell rape accuser can remain ‘Jane Doe’ as judge warns threats could lead to federal charges
The parties have flipped on support for Israel
BLUE WAVE CRUSHED? Frank Luntz Warns CNN of Flawed Polling and Defiant Trump Voters
DHS Testing Nonlethal Device That Causes ‘Irresistible Urge to Run’ for Use at Border
The only band that ever mattered was … the Monkees
Beloved Pastor and His 3-Year-Old Son Killed in Tragic Accident
Department of War Releases New Batch of UFO Files, Including Data on ‘Black Triangle’ Incidents from This Year
Marriage Certificate from 1997 May Confirm the Real Identity of ‘Ilhan Omar’ and Her Marriage to Her Brother
Canada is feeling the pain from Trump’s tariffs — but the trade fight didn’t start overnight
Assange lived inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years until April when the country revoked his protection and he was arrested.
The UK Home Office said in a statement: “Mr Assange was arrested in relation to a provisional extradition request from the United States of America. He is accused of offences including computer misuse and the unauthorized disclosure of national defence information.”
“We have received the full extradition request, which has been certified by the Home Secretary.
“This case is now before the courts and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Story cited here.
