LONDON — Britain’s Supreme Court docket on Monday stated it had refused the newest enchantment by Julian Assange, the embattled WikiLeaks founder, to forestall his extradition to the US.
The announcement was a blow to Mr. Assange, coming simply months after a excessive court docket stated he would be capable of enchantment a call by a decrease court docket that might enable for his extradition. Nevertheless, he has nonetheless not exhausted all of his authorized choices within the British courts, his attorneys stated.
The Supreme Court docket in a press release Monday stated that it had refused permission to enchantment “as a result of the appliance doesn’t elevate an debatable level of legislation.”
Mr. Assange’s authorized staff indicated that the choice on extradition would now be referred again to the decrease court docket that initially assessed the U.S. request, which might then put the ultimate choice in entrance of Priti Patel, the U.Ok.’s Dwelling Secretary.
Ms. Patel would then determine whether or not to order or refuse the extradition, however Mr. Assange’s protection staff will even be entitled to make submissions to her earlier than she points a call. Ms. Patel’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
A U.S. Justice Division spokesman additionally declined to remark.
Crucially, the Birnberg Peirce legislation agency, which is representing Mr. Assange within the case, stated he had not exhausted his means to enchantment in regard to “different necessary points he raised beforehand” in that decrease court docket choice.
The agency stated it regretted “that the chance has not been taken to contemplate the troubling circumstances by which requesting states can present caveated ensures after the conclusion of a full evidential listening to.”
The agency’s assertion referred to the preliminary argument for enchantment, which had turned on the timing of when the US made assurances that Mr. Assange can be handled humanely in an American jail if he’s discovered responsible.
“In Mr. Assange’s case, the court docket had discovered that there was an actual danger of prohibited therapy within the occasion of his onwards extradition,” the agency stated.
Mr. Assange was charged in the US beneath the Espionage Act in reference to acquiring and publishing secret authorities paperwork centered round U.S. actions in the course of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have been printed on WikiLeaks in 2010 after being leaked by Chelsea Manning, a former navy intelligence analyst.
If Mr. Assange have been extradited to the US and confronted a trial, the case might elevate profound First Modification points. His prosecution has alarmed advocates of press freedom.
Charlie Savage contributed reporting.