Assange wins right to fight against extradition to USA

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has won a last-ditch bid to appeal his extradition to the United States to face espionage charges.

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

High Court judges yesterday granted him permission to appeal his removal to the US where he is being prosecuted over an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information over the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

The decision has granted the 52-year-old a reprieve in order for lawyers to challenge his extradition at a full appeal hearing at a later date.

It was feared he could have been put on a plane within days if his bid was denied. However, his legal team had vowed to apply to the European Court of Human Rights for an emergency injunction to halt his removal if they were unsuccessful.

Members of Mr Assange’s legal team and family, including his wife Stella Assange and his father John Shipton, could be seen embracing after the ruling.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice for the crunch hearing yesterday, with cheers erupting after the judgment was handed down.

Addressing crowds Ms Assange accused the US of “fumbling through their arguments” and “trying to paint lipstick on a pig”, adding: “Today marks a turning point.”

“Julian must be freed. The case should be abandoned. He should be compensated,” she told supporters.

“He should be given the Nobel Prize and he should walk freely with the sand beneath his feet. He should be able to swim in the sea again. Free Assange.”

The victory comes after lawyers for the Australian-born publisher, who is being held at high security prison HMP Belmarsh, asked for the go-ahead to challenge a previous ruling over his extradition in a two-day hearing in February.