LONDON — British Home Secretary Sajid Javid says he has signed an extradition order that would send imprisoned WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States if British courts favor the move.
Javid tells BBC radio Thursday courts will decide whether Assange must face espionage charges in the US.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange being taken from court, where he appeared on charges of jumping British bail seven years ago, in London, May 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Assange is scheduled to face an extradition hearing Friday on the US request. A decision is likely months away.
He is serving a 50-week sentence in London’s Belmarsh Prison for jumping bail in Britain.
The 47-year-old was too ill to take part in a recent hearing. He is expected to participate in Friday’s proceeding via video link.
The US plan to prosecute him for espionage has raised free speech issues. Assange asserts he is a journalist shielded by the First Amendment.
— AP
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 13, 2019
