UK court permits WikiLeaks founder to appeal extradition to US | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

A court in Britain has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal an extradition order to the United States on espionage charges. This means that he will not be sent to the US any time soon.

US authorities have charged Assange, who founded the whistle-blowing website, over the release of a huge trove of classified government documents on the website. He has been in jail in Britain for other offenses.

In 2022, a British court ordered the extradition of Assange to the US.

Assange’s lawyers argued that there are concerns that he would not have sufficient free speech protections if extradited from Britain.

On Monday, the High Court in London ruled that Assange has a right to appeal against the extradition order.

Cheers erupted among his supporters gathered in front of the court.

Assange’s wife Stella said, “As a family we are relieved, but how long can this go on?”

She said, “The United States should read the situation and drop this case now.”