WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange allowed to appeal extradition from Britain to US
Julian Assange has been granted permission to appeal against extradition to the U.S. by arguing that he might not have free speech rights in a U.S. court. The appeal is based on concerns that he could be discriminated against as a foreign national. Assange is wanted in the U.S. on 18 charges related to WikiLeaks’ release of secret U.S. documents. The appeal was welcomed by his supporters, who gathered outside the court. If the ruling had gone against him, Assange could have been extradited to the U.S. within 24 hours. U.S. assurances that Assange could rely on First Amendment protections were deemed inadequate by his legal team. The appeal will now cover all 18 charges against him.
