The UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has signed off on the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States, reports El Reg.
Javid's certifying of the US extradition request lodged this week is the first formal step in having Assange sent across the pond. The next phase is tomorrow, when Belmarsh Magistrates' Court will set a date for a full extradition hearing. After that, assuming a district judge (full-time professional magistrate) OKs the extradition, Javid himself will make the final decision on whether or not to send the one-time chief WikiLeaker to America, as UK.gov's website explains. It is almost certain Assange will file an appeal to the High Court after the district judge's ruling, and again (as the law allows) after the Home Secretary's final decision.
In the US, Assange will face charges of violating espionage law.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by amlu on Friday June 14 2019, @11:59AM (2 children)
Poor dude, hopefully someone offers him a cyanide pill, if not he will be stuck in endless torture-recovery-torture loop, to the point of getting insane. Mess up with the masters in land of the freedom and you end up like that.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Phoenix666 on Friday June 14 2019, @12:53PM
I don't know that we can save Assange in time, but perhaps we can give his tormentors the same treatment. As they have sown, so must they reap.
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Friday June 14 2019, @02:32PM
Don't think so, at least no more torture than usually goes on in confinement. The government now wants to make an example of in a way that chills the publication of material classified because it embarrasses the government, not make a martyr of him that will inspire others to take up his call.
This sig for rent.