The court said extradition was not possible because of risks to the life and health of the WikiLeaks founder
A court in London has ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the United States on the grounds that there are risks to his life. The decision was announced on Monday by Judge Vanessa Barrightser of the Westminster Magistrates Court. She presided over the case at London’s Old Bailey Central Criminal Court.
The judge acknowledged the fact that Assange suffers from autism and clinical depression and is also suicidal. His condition, she said, could be seriously worsened by his confinement in solitary confinement in the US. He also has “sufficient intellectual capacity” to bypass any measures designed to prevent suicide attempts. Thus, the risk to the suspect’s life is grounds for refusing to extradite him.
Assange will remain in prison for the time necessary for an appeal by the US prosecutor’s office.
Assange’s lawyer has said that the defence will seek his release on bail.
The U.S. Justice Department has filed 18 criminal charges against the Australian, which together face up to 175 years in prison. Assange, in particular, is charged with offences related to the largest case of disclosure of classified information in US history.