News

London appeal ruling in Assange extradition case Friday: court

December 9, 2021 10:39 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Two judges will on Friday give their ruling on a US government appeal against a decision not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from Britain.

Court listings for the Royal Courts of Justice in London published on Thursday said a judgment in the long-running case will be handed down at 1015 GMT on Friday.

Washington wants to put the 50-year-old Australian on trial over the publication of classified military documents relating to the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The extradition was blocked in January this year on the grounds that Assange would be a suicide risk if he were removed to the United States and held in isolation.

But lawyers for the US government in October argued the original judge had not given sufficient weight to other expert testimony about Assange's mental state.

They have also sought to assure the court he would not be held in a federal supermax prison, and would receive appropriate treatment.

The case has become a cause celebre for free speech with Assange's supporters arguing WikiLeaks has the same rights as other media to publish secret material in the public interest. 

Assange himself has been in custody since 2019, despite having served a previous sentence for breaching bail conditions in a separate case.

The maverick publisher spent seven years at Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid being removed to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations that were later dropped.

While at the South American country's mission, he fathered two children with his partner, Stella Moris, a member of his legal team.

Friday's decision is not likely to be the end of the matter. Should the US government win, the case will be sent back to the lower court for a new decision.

Whoever loses can also ask for permission for a further, final appeal to the UK's Supreme Court.

 

 



Most Read

  1. Mexican claims victory by paying $28 for $28,000 Cartier earrings Mexican claims victory by paying $28 for $28,000 Cartier earrings
  2. Aroob Jatoi breaks silence on viral deep fake video Aroob Jatoi breaks silence on viral deep fake video
  3. Ducky Bhai pledges million-rupee reward for unveiling source of deepfake video of his wife Ducky Bhai pledges million-rupee reward for unveiling source of deepfake video of his wife
  4. Two Railway Police personnel killed in Mardan Two Railway Police personnel killed in Mardan
  5. When Pakistani pilot shot down Israeli fighter plane When Pakistani pilot shot down Israeli fighter plane
  6. Katrina Kaif finally spills beans about Hollywood debut Katrina Kaif finally spills beans about Hollywood debut

Opinion

  1. Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties
    Employing global best practices in Pakistan-Saudi ties

    By Nasim Zehra

  2. PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls
    PML-N smashed PTI in by-polls

    By News Desk

  3. Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity
    Riding the Digital Wave: How Technology is Rewriting the Script of Economic Prosperity

    By News Desk

  4. Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  
    Tax on solar energy: Govt's misplaced priorities favour powerful stakeholders over people welfare  

    By Manzoor Qadir

  5. Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir
    Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir

    By Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai

  6. Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy
    Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy

    By Salim Bokhari