U.K. Supreme Court Says Assange Cannot Appeal His Extradition to U.S.

LONDON — Britain’s Supreme Courtroom on Monday stated it had refused the newest enchantment by Julian Assange, the embattled WikiLeaks founder, to forestall his extradition to america.

The announcement was a blow to Mr. Assange, coming simply months after a excessive court docket stated he would be capable to 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 legal professionals stated.

The Supreme Courtroom in an announcement Monday stated that it had refused permission to enchantment “as a result of the applying doesn’t elevate an debatable level of legislation.”

Mr. Assange’s authorized workforce 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 determination in entrance of Priti Patel, the U.Ok.’s Residence Secretary.

Ms. Patel would then determine whether or not to order or refuse the extradition, however Mr. Assange’s protection workforce may 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.

Crucially, the Birnberg Peirce legislation agency, which is representing Mr. Assange within the case, stated he had not exhausted his capacity to enchantment in regard to “different essential points he raised beforehand” in that decrease court docket determination.

The agency stated it regretted “that the chance has not been taken to think about the troubling circumstances wherein 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 america 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 threat of prohibited remedy within the occasion of his onwards extradition,” the agency stated.

Mr. Assange was charged in america beneath the Espionage Act in reference to acquiring and publishing secret authorities paperwork centered round U.S. actions throughout 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 america and confronted a trial, the case may elevate profound First Modification points. His prosecution has alarmed advocates of press freedom.