Assange, who published thousands of classified military and diplomatic documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, could be jailed for up to 175 years - "a grossly disproportionate punishment" - if convicted in the US, the high court heard yesterday.
Edward Fitzgerald KC, representing Assange, also argued that the WikiLeaks founder could be targeted by US state agencies for "extra-legal attack or elimination" if he is extradited, particularly given "the real possibility of a return of a [Donald] Trump administration".
Assange's lawyers are seeking a full appeal hearing. However, if the two judges deny permission, all challenges in the UK courts will have been exhausted, leaving an intervention by the European court of human rights (ECHR) as Assange's only hope to avoid extradition to the US.
Outside the court, scores of his supporters held placards and chanted, demanding his release. Assange was granted permission to attend the twoday hearing but Fitzgerald said he was unwell.
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