UK Judge Approves To Extradite Julian Assange Order to US

Julian Assange

A UK court on Wednesday approved a formal order to extradite Julian Assange to the United States for trial over the publication of secret files relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The decision now rests at interior minister Priti Patel, although Julian Assange can still appeal within 14 days of any decision to approve the extradition.

On Wednesday a magistrate in central London brings the long-running case in the UK courts closer to a conclusion.

But Assange's lawyers have appeals to make representations to Patel and launch further appeals on other points in the case.

"No appeal to the High Court has yet been filed by him in respect of the other important issues he raised previously," Julian's lawyers Birnberg Peirce Solicitors said in a statement last month.

"That separate process of appeal has, of course, yet to be initiated."

Last month Assange was denied permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court against moves to extradite him to US, where he could face a lifetime in prison.

Washington wants to put him on trial on the bases with the publication of 500,000 secret military files relating to the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In January 2021, the 50 year old Australian national appeared to have won a reprieve on the grounds he was a under suicide risk if he was kept in solitary confinement at a maximum security US facility.

But the US government at a two day appeal hearing in October its lawyers said to diplomatic assurances that Assange would not be held in punishing isolation at a federal supermax prison, and would receive appropriate care.