Khushi Gupta
Published on: April 21, 2022 at 17:54 IST
WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange is a step closer to being Extradited to the United States following an Order by a United Kingdom Court.
The Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London formally issued an Order to extradite the Australian to the United States to face Spying Charges for Publishing a Trove of Classified Information more than 10 years ago.
The Order will now go to United Kingdom’s Home Secretary Priti Patel, who will decide whether to approve the Extradition.
If she approves the Extradition, Assange can also try to challenge the decision by Judicial Review, in which a Judge will examine the Legitimacy of a Public Body’s Decision.
A British District Court Judge had initially rejected a United States Extradition request on the Grounds that Assange was likely to kill himself if held under harsh United States Prison conditions.
United States Authorities later provided assurances Assange would not face the severe treatment that his Lawyers said would put his physical and mental health at risk.
In December, the High Court overturned the Lower Court’s Decision, saying that the United States promises were enough to Guarantee Assange would be treated humanely.