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A lawyer for Julian Assange has called on the Australian government to negotiate a political path for the WikiLeaks founder to avoid extradition to the United States following a court ruling in London.
US prosecutors’ plans to extradite the 52-year-old Australian from the UK and prosecute him over the disclosure of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables have been put on hold after London’s High Court said on Tuesday that US authorities must provide guarantees that he will not face the death penalty.
Two judges at the UK High Court said they would grant Assange, held in a high-security London prison since 2019, a fresh appeal if US authorities do not give such assurances within three weeks.
“We want the Australian government to continue to push for a political resolution because Julian will remain in Belmarsh prison… and his circumstances there have been dire, his health continues to worsen and this, at the end of the day, is a political case.” ‘,’ barrister Greg Barns SC told ABC TV after the decision in London.
Anthony Albanese and the Australian government must continue to pressure US officials over the case of Julian Assange (pictured), one of his lawyers says.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last month that his government was using diplomatic channels to try to secure Assange’s release and had raised the issue with US President Joe Biden.
“There really needs to be continued political engagement because this can take a few months,” Mr Barns said.
“The way the appeal process has gone in the UK in his case has involved long delays… and that is why we would say to the Prime Minister and the MPs who support Julian Assange that this is not the time to take your decision”. foot off the pedal.’
Barns added that “individuals should not be extradited to the United States if there is a risk of cruel and unusual punishment.”
UK judges provisionally gave Assange permission to lodge a full appeal against extradition, as they were not sure the Australian had the right to invoke the US Constitution’s right to free speech as a foreigner.
Stella Assange described the UK court’s decision on her husband as “bizarre”.
“The court has recognized that Julian is exposed to a flagrant denial of his right to freedom of expression, that he is being discriminated against because of his nationality – an Australian – and that he remains exposed to the death penalty,” Ms Assange said.
‘What the courts have done is invite political intervention from the United States… send a letter saying: “Everything is fine.” “I find this surprising,” he told reporters.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said he welcomed the court being prepared to give Assange permission to appeal against his extradition.
‘Let us hope that a new appeal is successful. Even better, the United States drop the charges against Assange,” Wilkie said.
“The United States should not continue to pursue Mr Assange, but rather drop all charges against him, allow him to reunite with his family and return to Australia.”
Anthony Albanese (pictured) has been called upon to negotiate a political path for the WikiLeaks founder to avoid extradition to the United States following a court ruling in London.