The UK high court’s decision to grant leave to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to appeal an extradition request to the US in respect of publications of classified information in 2010 is an important win for a number of reasons.
Dame Victoria Sharp and Justice Jeremy Johnson gave leave to appeal after hearing arguments from Assange’s counsel that there is no guarantee Assange – because he is not a US citizen – would be able to avail himself of press protections under the first amendment of the US constitution. The US has simply said it promises Assange could raise it but would not guarantee US prosecutors would support Assange’s claim. This decision is a win for journalism and publishing, shifts the momentum in Assange’s favour and provides the ideal opportunity for Anthony Albanese to push Joe Biden to end this pursuit of a man who revealed to the world, among other things, war crimes committed by the US in Iraq.
In a March hearing the court invited the US to provide assurances about three matters. One........