Legal experts react to Julian Assange's extradition appeal
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission by the High Court in London to take his challenge against extradition to the United States to the Supreme Court
Legal experts are voicing hope and caution after London's High Court ruling this week allowed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to appeal his extradition to the United States over espionage charges.
Assange, 50, has been fighting extradition since his arrest in 2019. He is accused of conspiring with former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to leak classified documents in 2010. Assange has denied the charges, arguing that he was acting as a journalist and that the leaks were in the public interest.
In a statement, Assange's lawyers said they were "pleased" with the High Court's decision and that they would "continue to fight for his freedom and his right to freedom of expression." They said that the Supreme Court would now have to decide whether or not to hear Assange's appeal.
Legal experts say that the High Court's decision is a significant development in Assange's case. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear his appeal, it could delay his extradition for months or even years.
"This is a big win for Assange," said Ben Wizner, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. "It means that he will have the opportunity to make his case to the highest court in the United Kingdom."
However, legal experts also caution that the Supreme Court is not likely to overturn the High Court's decision. They say that the Supreme Court only agrees to hear a small number of cases, and that it is more likely to focus on cases that have broader implications for the law.
"The Supreme Court is not going to want to get involved in a case that is so fact-specific," said Mark Rumold, a former federal prosecutor who now teaches law at the University of San Diego.
Despite the long odds, Assange's lawyers say they are hopeful that the Supreme Court will hear his appeal. They argue that Assange's case raises important questions about the freedom of the press and the public's right to know.
"This case is about more than just Julian Assange," said Assange's lawyer, Barry Pollack. "It's about the future of journalism and the public's right to hold their governments accountable."
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