Leer en Español
The British Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has signed the order to extradite the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, to the United States, which requires him on charges of espionage, her department said Friday. On April 20, a British court judge issued a warrant for the Australian journalist to be handed over to the United States for consideration by the UK government.
A spokesman for the ministry, in a statement released today, said that extradition requests are only sent to the Home Secretary once a judge has decided that they can proceed after assessing various aspects of the case.
The official spokesman also added that, in this case, the British courts have not found the process of extraditing Assange to be oppressive, unfair, or an abuse of process.
According to the same source, they have also not found that the extradition is incompatible with his human rights, such as the right to a fair trial and freedom of expression, and that while in the United States he will be treated appropriately, such as with regard to his health.
The U.S. Justice is demanding wants Assange for 18 crimes of espionage and computer intrusion for the revelations of his portal that, according to his legal team, can carry up to 175 years in prison in that country.
Patel’s decision can be appealed by the parties, but only if the High Court authorizes it.
In addition, the defense would ultimately have the option of appealing to the European Court of Human Rights.
