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.
Democrats win Virginia redistricting fight, threatening Republican House majority
‘Melrose Place’ and ‘Starship Troopers’ Actor Patrick Muldoon Dies at Age 57
Top House Republican Warns Ilhan Omar That Her Financial Disclosure Revision Won’t Save Her
EXCLUSIVE: Pence warns GOP ‘must deliver,’ or Planned Parenthood gets taxpayer cash on Fourth of July deadline
Federal court upholds Texas law requiring Ten Commandments in public classrooms
DOJ says Southern Poverty Law Center funneled $3M+ to white supremacist and extremist groups
Trump and DeSantis Discuss Appointment to Key Administration Position: Report
Rep. Luna calls for GOP ticket of JD Vance and Marco Rubio in 2028
‘ICON’: Biden DOJ officials privately fawned over Fani Willis as they coordinated on Trump investigation
BREAKING: President Trump Makes Major Announcement About Upcoming Attack on Iran
High school counselor pleads guilty to multiple sex crimes involving teen she was meant to help
Trump says China tried to send ‘gift’ to Iran, undermining his ‘good relationship’ with Xi
Americans among injured at shooting caught on video at tourist hot spot in Mexico
Left-wing group chases proof of Kash Patel’s alleged ‘excessive drinking’ as Dems eye FBI director’s ouster
Omar ducks questions as scrutiny grows over filings that slashed her reported wealth by millions
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.
Democrats win Virginia redistricting fight, threatening Republican House majority
‘Melrose Place’ and ‘Starship Troopers’ Actor Patrick Muldoon Dies at Age 57
Top House Republican Warns Ilhan Omar That Her Financial Disclosure Revision Won’t Save Her
EXCLUSIVE: Pence warns GOP ‘must deliver,’ or Planned Parenthood gets taxpayer cash on Fourth of July deadline
Federal court upholds Texas law requiring Ten Commandments in public classrooms
DOJ says Southern Poverty Law Center funneled $3M+ to white supremacist and extremist groups
Trump and DeSantis Discuss Appointment to Key Administration Position: Report
Rep. Luna calls for GOP ticket of JD Vance and Marco Rubio in 2028
‘ICON’: Biden DOJ officials privately fawned over Fani Willis as they coordinated on Trump investigation
BREAKING: President Trump Makes Major Announcement About Upcoming Attack on Iran
High school counselor pleads guilty to multiple sex crimes involving teen she was meant to help
Trump says China tried to send ‘gift’ to Iran, undermining his ‘good relationship’ with Xi
Americans among injured at shooting caught on video at tourist hot spot in Mexico
Left-wing group chases proof of Kash Patel’s alleged ‘excessive drinking’ as Dems eye FBI director’s ouster
Omar ducks questions as scrutiny grows over filings that slashed her reported wealth by millions
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.
