UK Judge Blocks WikiLeaks Founder’s Repatriation To The United States

A British judge on Monday rejected WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange’s extradition to the United States to face espionage charges, finding he was at serious risk of suicide.

District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said the 49-year-old Australian publisher’s actions in leaking secret documents went “well beyond” that of a journalist, and he would have been “well aware” of the dangers the leak posed.

But facing the “harsh conditions” likely in the US jail system, Assange’s mental health would deteriorate, “causing him to commit suicide” with the determination of a person with autism spectrum disorder, she ruled, siding with a diagnosis by psychologists.

Read also: UN Rights Expert Writes Trump, Seeks Pardon For Wikileaks Founder

Inside the Old Bailey court in central London, Assange wiped his forehead as the decision was announced while his fiancee Stella Moris burst into tears and was embraced by WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson.

Moris, who has two young sons with Assange, said the ruling was “a victory” but she would not celebrate until he was free and also appealed to US President Donald Trump.

“End this now,” she said outside the court. “Tear down these prison walls, that our little boys have their father, for Julian, the press, for all of us.”

His supporters had gathered since early morning, defying police warnings to disperse because of coronavirus restrictions. They erupted in cheers and shouted “Free Assange!”

The ruling follows more than a decade of legal controversies. Assange and his lawyers have long argued that the protracted case was politically motivated.

However, the US government gave notice it will challenge the decision and has two weeks to lodge its grounds to appeal.