Julian Assange extradition to US approved by British government
The WikiLeaks co-founder faces espionage charges in the U.S.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Julian Assange's extradition to the United States on spying charges was approved Friday by British Home Secretary Priti Patel.
The WikiLeaks co-founder's legal team is expected to file an appeal within the required 14 days. The development follows a British court ruling in April that Assange could be sent to the U.S.
FILE - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pauses as he makes a statement to media gathered outside the High Court in London, on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
The Home Office said in a statement that "the U.K courts have not found that it would be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process to extradite Mr. Assange."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}EXTRADITION OF WIKILEAKS FOUNDER JULIAN ASSANGE APPROVED BY UK JUDGE
FILE - Julian Assange greets supporters outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, May 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
The decision is a big moment in Assange’s years-long battle to avoid being sent to the U.S.
JULIAN ASSANGE SUFFERED STROKE DURING OCTOBER APPEAL HEARING, FIANCEE CLAIMS
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Supporters gather outside as the High Court hears a US appeal in the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, at Royal Courts of Justice, Chancery Lane on August 11, 2021 in London, England. (Ming Yeung/Getty Images)
The U.S. requested the extradition so Assange could stand trial on 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks’ publication of a huge trove of classified documents years ago.
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American prosecutors allege Assange helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report.