The British Supreme Court has refused to consider the appeal that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has lodged against his extradition to the United States. The Supreme Court rejects Assange’s lawyers’ request because, according to the court, there is not sufficient legal basis for it.
In December, the High Court had given the green light for the extradition of 50-year-old Assange to the United States. His lawyers then announced an appeal. The Supreme Court had cleared the way for such an appeal in January.
US prosecutors want Assange on trial for espionage and dissemination of state secrets. He risks in total up to 175 years in prison†
Assange accused of collaborating with whistleblower Chelsea Manning on secret material from US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan stolen and distributed, endangering the lives of American informants.
His supporters see in him an investigative journalist who war crimes brought to light and to whom an example should be taken.
Assange has been incarcerated at Belmarsh High Security Prison in London for about three years. The legal wrangling in Britain over his fate has been going on for quite some time. According to Wikileaks, his file now returns to Interior Secretary Priti Patel.
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