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London’s High Court ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal his extradition to the United States, reports Euronews Next on May, 20th.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal his extradition to the US, London’s High Court ruled. Assange, 52, faces 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse in the US for publishing classified documents in 2010 about US military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. If convicted, he could face up to 175 years in prison, though US authorities say his sentence could be shorter.

In March, London’s High Court asked US prosecutors for assurances that Assange would not face the death penalty if convicted and would have the same free speech protections as US citizens. On Monday, two senior judges deemed the US responses insufficient, allowing the appeal to proceed.

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The US has since indicated a judge could decide if Assange, an Australian, would receive First Amendment protections, a shift from their earlier stance that he wouldn’t because he isn’t a US citizen. The US government argues that Assange went beyond journalism, endangering lives by publishing classified information.

This decision extends the lengthy legal battle for Assange. Last month, President Joe Biden considered an Australian request to drop the case, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese found encouraging.

Assange remains in a British high-security prison, where he has been since leaving the Ecuadorian Embassy in London after seven years. His supporters say his imprisonment and legal struggles are harming his health.

Euronews Next, CNN