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Julian Assange Faces Further Wait Over Extradition Ruling - UK Court Needs US Assurances

posted by janrinok on Tuesday March 26 2024, @02:52PM   Printer-friendly

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68662881

The US must provide assurances that Julian Assange will not receive the death penalty if convicted, before a UK court rules on whether he can appeal against his extradition.

The court has adjourned its decision by three weeks to give the US government time to comply.

US authorities say the Wikileaks founder endangered lives by publishing thousands of classified documents.

His lawyers have argued that the case is form of "state retaliation".

In a High Court judgment on Tuesday, Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson said that Mr Assange would be able to bring an appeal on three grounds, unless assurances were given by the United States.

These assurances are that the 52-year-old would be protected by and allowed to rely on the First Amendment - which protects freedom of speech in the US; that he would not be "prejudiced at trial" due to his nationality; and that he would not face the death penalty if he is convicted.

Judges have given the US authorities three weeks to make those assurances, with a final hearing potentially taking place on 20 May.

"If assurances are not given then we will grant leave to appeal without a further hearing," said Dame Victoria in the court's ruling.

"If assurances are given then we will give the parties an opportunity to make further submissions before we make a final decision on the application for leave to appeal."

See also: Julian Assange faces further wait over extradition ruling

 
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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 27 2024, @09:12AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 27 2024, @09:12AM (#1350541)

    But since the death penalty is reserved only for specific offenses in the US and those with which Mr. Assange has been charged do not carry that penalty --regardless of what a bunch of blowhards might call for-- Mr. Assange is not at risk of being put to death as a result of being tried for those alleged offenses.

    Ok, you TLA shill. At best they have not yet charged him with any death penalty crimes. Although I seem to remember the Rosenbergs were executed for espionage, one of the "crimes" Assange is charged with.

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  • (Score: 2) by Mykl on Thursday March 28 2024, @03:18AM

    by Mykl (1112) on Thursday March 28 2024, @03:18AM (#1350625)

    Someone modded this down since I last saw it, but it's very insightful IMHO.

    The US could absolutely add charges to Assange after he arrives in the country in handcuffs. Those charges could absolutely carry the death penalty. Let's not forget that the US was asking for extradition for years before they put any charges up formally.

    What's the likelihood that the TLAs would try something shifty like that? The Magic 8-Ball reads "Signs Point to Yes". Even more reason why the UK needs assurances before they hand him over - because they know that the US could and would add extra charges once they have their hands on Assange.