(RepublicanView.org) – Two judges in Great Britain ruled on March 24 that Julian Assange may be allowed to appeal his extradition to the US if officials can’t assure them that he will not be given a death sentence.
Judges Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson said that Assange, the man who posted classified government emails and classified documents on his WikiLeaks website, stressed that American authorities must also give “the same First Amendment protections” that are given to US citizens. They said that assurances would be followed by opportunities to submit additional requests ahead of a permanent decision on the appeal.
However, the judges also turned down the majority of appeals submitted by Assange. One of those appeals was notably on grounds of political persecution. The judges said there is not sufficient evidence that US extradition requests are being made over his political views. They also said that only three of his appeals have a reasonable chance of success. He filed nine in all.
His legal team argued that Assange is facing a blatant denial of basic justice if the charges filed by the US government are pursued. They also said that his website exposed how the government broke its own laws, especially in areas like war and torture. Assange’s attorneys were speaking on his behalf as he was too ill to attend.
Assange’s wife, Stella Assange, accused the judges of making it too easy for the US to have him extradited through a “political intervention,” according to The Guardian She also claimed the case is nothing more than retribution for exposing corrupt special interests.
US officials did reportedly offer a potential plea deal for Assange shortly before the judges’ decision. They said he could be allowed to just enter into a guilty misdemeanor plea, a deal that would allow him to submit his plea without even visiting the US. He would likely be free to go soon after since he’s already been incarcerated for five years. However, his legal team said they have not been informed of any confirmed changes by prosecutors.
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