Julian Assange: Wikileaks founder extradition to US blocked by UK judge
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the United States, a
court in London has ruled. The judge blocked the request because of concerns
over Mr Assange's mental health and risk of suicide in the US. The 49-year-old
is wanted over the publication of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and
2011. The US claims the leaks broke the law and endangered lives. Mr Assange has
fought the extradition and says the case is politically motivated. The US
authorities have 14 days in which to lodge an appeal and are expected to do so.
Mr Assange will now be taken back to Belmarsh Prison - where he is being held -
and a full application for his bail will be made on Wednesday. His lawyer Ed
Fitzgerald told the court there will be evidence to show Mr Assange will not
abscond. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that while US prosecutors met
the tests for Mr Assange to be extradited for trial, the US was incapable of
preventing him from attempting to take his own life. She outlined evidence of
his self harm and suicidal thoughts and said: "The overall impression is of a
depressed and sometimes despairing man fearful for his future." She said: "Faced
with the conditions of near total isolation without the protective factors which
limited his risk at HMP Belmarsh, I am satisfied the procedures described by the
US will not prevent Mr Assange from finding a way to commit suicide and for this
reason I have decided extradition would be oppressive by reason of mental harm
and I order his discharge."
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