A British judge rules against extraditing Julian Assange to the US, which has accused him of violating the Espionage Act, citing mental health concerns
A British judge has rejected the United States' request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying it would be “oppressive” because of his mental health. The U.S. said it would appeal the decision. https://apnews.com/... Kevin Gosztola / @kgosztola : Judge Baraitser accepted virtually all of allegations against Assange that made this a dangerous case for press freedom. Despite the fact that the request was rejected, there is plenty in this ruling to cause alarm. Because someone else could easily be criminalized in future. Glenn Greenwald / @ggreenwald : This wasn't a victory for press freedom. Quite the contrary: the judge made clear she believed there are grounds to prosecute Assange in connection with the 2010 publication. It was, instead, an indictment of the insanely oppressive US prison system for security “threats.” Glenn Greenwald / @ggreenwald : The rejection by the UK court of the US Govt's request to extradite Julian Assange to stand trial on espionage charges is obviously great news. But the judge endorsed most of the USG's theories, but ultimately found the US prison system too inhumane to permit extradition. Mark Curtis / @markcurtis30 : I can't see how the #Assange ruling amounts to a victory for the free press, as some are claiming. Judge seems to have accepted US prosecution arguments right up the point where she considered a suicide risk. The judgement may have set a scary precedent. https://www.judiciary.uk/... @judiciaryuk : Full judgment in Julian Assange extradition case available here https://www.judiciary.uk/... #Assange See also Mediagazer
Good news Julian Assange's extradition has been blocked. Extradition treaties should not be used for political prosecutions. https://www.theguardian.com/ ...
The case against Julian Assange is the most dangerous threat to US press freedom in decades. This is a huge relief to anyone who cares about the rights of journalists. https://twitter.com/...
Julian #Assange has been discharged by the judge at the Old Bailey on grounds that he was too great a suicide risk if extradited to the US. This is wonderful! It's a face-saving cover for the British to justify their disgraceful political trial of #Assange on America's behalf.
Journalists everywhere were watching this ruling. “A British judge ruled...WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the United States to face trial on charges of violating the Espionage Act, saying he would be at extreme risk of suicide.” https://www.nytimes.com/.…
Good. Now the Australian Government should work with Julian Assange and his team to bring him home to live and work freely with an assurance that he will not be extradited to the US. https://www.theguardian.com/ ...
Julian Assange will NOT be extradited to America. An excellent ruling by the British judge. Congratulations to all the dogged campaigners on Assange's behalf. https://www.theguardian.com/ ...
We welcome the fact that Julian Assange will not be sent to the USA, but this does not absolve the UK from having engaged in this politically-motivated process at the behest of the USA and putting media freedom and freedom of expression on trial.
The judge's reasoning was hardly a ringing endorsement of either Wikileaks or the function of journalism. But the extradition outcome is the right one and I hope the US will now drop the pursuit of Assange (and @Snowden) and let them get on with their lives.
“Today is the first step towards justice in this case.” Julian Assange's partner, Stella Moris responds to the ruling at the Old Bailey that the WikiLeaks founder cannot be extradited to the US. Get more on this story here: https://news.sky.com/... https://twitter.com/...
✊ Thanks to all the people who fought so hard for this outcome. Now to get him out of jail, where he does not belong since no court has found him to have committed a crime https://www.theguardian.com/ ...
Great news from London - Julian Assange's extradition to US denied by UK court. US President must rule out an appeal. UK PM must release him. And Oz PM must allow him to return home a free man. Assange was always the hero, not the villain #auspol #politas #FreeAssange
All the gratitude to @NilsMelzer and all the doctors and health professionals who documented the torture against #Assange. Your dedicated work and effort probably saved the life of @wikileaks founder. Extradition denied on mental health grounds.
U.K. Judge Blocks Assange's Extradition to U.S. https://www.nytimes.com/... Excellent. Now release him so he can live in a country that values democracy and justice (which by definition excludes the USA, Australia & Sweden).
That's very good news! Prosecuting Assange for @wikileaks publishing operations was unprecedented and unconstitutional. It had set a dangerous precedent for U.S. journalists, who routinely violate foreign secrecy laws to deliver information vital to the public's interest. https:/…
Wonderful news, Assange won't get extradited. But the reason the judge gave doesn't seem quite right to me. This should be about journalism, about the right to speak truth against power - and not about the fact that he might commit suicide. https://www.nytimes.com/...
LONDON (AP) — A British judge has rejected the United States' request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying it would be “oppressive” because of his mental health. The U.S. said it would appeal the decision. https://apnews.com/...
Judge Baraitser accepted virtually all of allegations against Assange that made this a dangerous case for press freedom. Despite the fact that the request was rejected, there is plenty in this ruling to cause alarm. Because someone else could easily be criminalized in future.
This wasn't a victory for press freedom. Quite the contrary: the judge made clear she believed there are grounds to prosecute Assange in connection with the 2010 publication. It was, instead, an indictment of the insanely oppressive US prison system for security “threats.”
The rejection by the UK court of the US Govt's request to extradite Julian Assange to stand trial on espionage charges is obviously great news. But the judge endorsed most of the USG's theories, but ultimately found the US prison system too inhumane to permit extradition.
I can't see how the #Assange ruling amounts to a victory for the free press, as some are claiming. Judge seems to have accepted US prosecution arguments right up the point where she considered a suicide risk. The judgement may have set a scary precedent. https://www.judiciary.uk/…