UK judge approves extradition of Julian Assange to US

A British judge has formally approved the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US. Assange is being held in Belmarch Prison in London awaiting extradition. In the US, he could face 175 years in prison.

The decision to extradite Assange now rests with Interior Minister Priti Patel, who will decide on the extradition on May 18. Assange’s defense can still appeal the judge’s decision. In December, the British High Court already ruled that there was no objection to the extradition, but that judgment has now been confirmed again during a hearing.

The US wants the UK to extradite Assange for alleged computer intrusion into a US state computer and violations of US espionage law. He is suspected of leaking classified information about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. According to WikiLeaks he could be sentenced to 175 years in prison in the US on the basis of the allegations.

Today’s brief hearing took place as the UK Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Assange in March, even though he was entitled to it. In the brief hearing, which lasted seven minutes, the judge said the decision on Assange’s extradition rests with the Secretary of the Interior, not the judge. This seems to be the last hurdle before Assange can be formally evicted.