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UK court to rule on whether WikiLeaks’ Assange can challenge extradition to US

  • Julian Assange has been indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over his website’s publication of classified US documents
  • Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder argue that he was a secrecy-busting journalist who exposed US military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan

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A protester holds a placard outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on February 21. A London court will rule on Tuesday whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can challenge extradition to the US on espionage charges. Photo: AP

A London court is expected to rule whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gets one final appeal in England to challenge extradition to the United States on espionage charges.

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Two judges are scheduled to issue a judgment on Tuesday morning in the High Court that could put an end to Assange’s long legal saga – or extend it further.

If he fails in winning the right to appeal, his legal team fears he could be swiftly sent to the US to face charges, though they are likely to ask the European Court of Human Rights to block any transfer.

Assange, 52, has been indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over his website’s publication of a trove of classified US documents almost 15 years ago.

American prosecutors allege that Assange encouraged and helped US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks published.
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