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quietus [soylentnews.org] writes:

The UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has signed off on the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States, reports El Reg [theregister.co.uk].

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.

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