All You Need to Know About Julian Assange's Potential US Extradition

Background

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been fighting against extradition to the United States since 2019. He was arrested in London in 2019 after spending seven years in asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy. The US alleges that Assange conspired to hack into government computers and publish classified information, including diplomatic cables and military documents.

Current Status

On Monday, May 20, 2024, the High Court in London is scheduled to rule on Assange's appeal against extradition. If the appeal is successful, Assange will avoid extradition to the US. If the appeal is unsuccessful, he will be extradited and face trial in the US.

Key Points

Here are some key points to consider:

• Assange is facing 17 charges in the US, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and espionage.
• The evidence against Assange includes communications between him and Chelsea Manning, the former US Army intelligence analyst who leaked the classified information.
• Supporters of Assange argue that his extradition would violate his freedom of speech and that he is a political prisoner.
• The US government argues that Assange's actions endangered national security and that he must be held accountable for his crimes.

Next Steps

The High Court's ruling on Monday will be a critical turning point in Assange's case. If his appeal is successful, he will remain in the UK and continue fighting the extradition attempt. If his appeal is unsuccessful, he will be extradited to the US and face trial.