<\/p>\n
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission on Monday to appeal against extradition to the United States after arguing at London\u2019s High Court that he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech in a US court.<\/p>\n
The Australian-born Assange, 52, is wanted in the US on 18 charges, nearly all under the Espionage Act, relating to WikiLeaks\u2019 mass release of secret US documents \u2014 the largest security breaches of their kind in US military history.<\/p>\n
The high court had in March granted him provisional permission to appeal on grounds that he might be discriminated against as a foreign national, but invited the US to submit assurances. After Monday\u2019s hearing, two senior judges said Assange\u2019s argument that he might not be able to rely on the US.<\/p>\n
First Amendment right to free speech deserved a full appeal \u2014 which is unlikely to be held for months. The news prompted cheering and singing from hundreds of supporters who had massed outside the court tying yellow ribbons to the iron railings, holding placards and chanting \u201cFree, free Julian Assange!\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a family we\u2019re relieved but how long can this go on?\u201d said Assange\u2019s wife Stella, who had been in court with his brother and father.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United States should read the situation and drop this case now. Now is the moment to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
She told his supporters the ruling marked a turning point.<\/p>\n
Assange himself was not present, which his lawyer said was for health reasons. The US Justice Department declined to comment on a pending judicial matter.<\/p>\n Had Monday\u2019s ruling gone against him, Assange\u2019s team said he could have been on a plane to the US within 24 hours, ending more than 13 years of legal battles in Britain.<\/p>\n US prosecutors had told the court Assange could \u201cseek to rely\u201d upon the First Amendment protections granted to US citizens, and would not be discriminated against because of his nationality.<\/p>\n But his legal team said a US court would not be bound by this. \u201cWe say this is a blatantly inadequate assurance,\u201d Assange\u2019s lawyer Edward Fitzgerald told the judges.<\/p>\n The court also concluded that Assange\u2019s appeal should apply to all 18 counts, not only three, as lawyers for the US had argued. Fitzgerald did, however, accept a separate US assurance that Assange would not face the death penalty.<\/p>\n The US said its First Amendment assurances were sufficient.<\/p>\n James Lewis, representing the US authorities, said in court documents that the assurance \u201ccannot bind the courts\u201d, but that the US courts would \u201ctake solemn notice and give effect so far as they are able to a promise given by the executive\u201d.<\/p>\n Protesters gathered outside the court early on Monday, tying yellow ribbons to the iron railings, holding placards and chanting \u201cFree, free Julian Assange\u201d. In a plea to US President Joe Biden, flags read: \u201cLet him go Joe\u201d.<\/p>\n US assurance fails to convince UK judges<\/h2>\n
Protester appeal to Biden<\/h2>\n