Julian Assange: US extradition request rejected by British judge

by

The 49-year-old Australian has been charged in the US under espionage law for his role in publishing secret military and diplomatic messages.

“I have decided that extradition would be oppressive and order his resignation,” Judge Vanessa Baraitser said in her ruling Monday.

Despite the ruling that Assange would receive a “fair trial” in the event of extradition to the United States, the judge found that the “special administrative measures” in which Assange would be detained would likely have a serious negative impact on his mental health. .

In her full statement, published online, Baraitser wrote, “I accept that repression as a barrier to extradition requires a high barrier … However, I am convinced that Mr. Assange’s mental health would deteriorate under these dire circumstances,” causing him to commit suicide with the ‘determination’ of his autism spectrum disorder. “

“I think Mr. Assange’s mental state is such that it would be oppressive to extradite him to the United States of America,” she added.

The US said it would appeal the decision.

This is a groundbreaking story, more will follow.

CNN’s Vasco Cotovio contributed to this report.

.Source