London, United Kingdom – Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, is facing the potential risk to his life if his final appeal against extradition to the United States is unsuccessful, according to his lawyer. Assange, who is wanted in the US over allegations of obtaining and disclosing national defense information, has spent the past four years in Belmarsh prison in London, following his eviction from the Ecuadorian embassy in 2019.
Jennifer Robinson, Assange’s lawyer and an international human rights lawyer, expressed concerns about her client’s health, stating that he suffers from a major depressive illness and has been diagnosed as being on the spectrum. Robinson argued that if Assange were extradited to the US, these conditions would likely lead him to commit suicide.
This latest appeal comes after a January 2021 ruling by district judge Vanessa Baraitser, who decided against extraditing Assange to the US, highlighting the real and oppressive risk of suicide. However, US authorities successfully challenged this decision in a High Court, opening the door to Assange’s potential extradition.
Assange’s final appeal is set to take place in the UK High Court in February. If this appeal is denied, it would mark the end of his legal options in the UK and result in his extradition to the US. There is a possibility that the European Court of Human Rights may intervene, but this is not guaranteed.
Assange’s case has attracted support and protests, including from former British ambassador Craig Murray, who vowed to continue fighting for Assange’s freedom. Assange’s wife, Stella, has also emphasized the high stakes involved in her husband’s case, as it not only impacts his life and freedom but also raises important questions about press freedoms and freedom of speech.
In summary, Julian Assange’s lawyer has warned that his life is at risk if his final appeal against extradition to the US is unsuccessful. Assange has spent years in prison and is said to be in poor health, with concerns about his mental well-being. The UK High Court will hear his final appeal in February, although the possibility of intervention from the European Court of Human Rights remains uncertain. The case has garnered support and protests, highlighting the larger issues surrounding press freedoms and freedom of speech.