A British court has ruled Tuesday that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange won’t be extradited to the United States on espionage charges unless U.S. authorities promise they wont kill him.
Two High Court judges have demanded assurances that the U.S. will not seek the death penalty within three weeks, casting doubt on the future of the extradition.
It’s the latest in a decade legal battle over his site’s publication of classified documents.
Judges Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson emphasized the need for Assange, an Australian, to receive “the same First Amendment protections as a United States citizen” and to ensure the death penalty is off the table.
The judges’ stipulation implies skepticism, hinting at lingering suspicion over the case’s handling and potential consequences for Assange. A hearing is scheduled for May 20, contingent upon the U.S. delivering satisfactory submissions.
For now, Assange remains in London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison, where he has managed to avoid cut surveillance feeds and unfortunate accidents.
This is a developing story.
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