UK Judge Denies Extradition of Wikileaks Founder to U.S.

The Wikileaks founder’s extradition to the U.S. was denied by a British judge early this morning. Over a decade ago, Wikileaks published military and diplomatic documents exposing U.S. military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The founder, Julian Assange, was indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse. He faces a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison if convicted. The 49-year-old Australian’s legal team argues he was acting as a journalist and is therefore entitled to First Amendment protections of freedom of speech.
The U.S. was seeking Assange’s extradition for his trial but these efforts have been blocked by a judge who said Assange suffers from clinical depression. She believes Assange will commit suicide if he is sent overseas and isolated in an American prison. Following the announcement, supporters for Assange were seen celebrating in the streets of London. The U.S. government is already making moves to appeal the decision.