Why has UK court allowed Julian Assange to appeal against US extradition order?

New Delhi: Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been granted permission to appeal against a UK court ruling that approved his extradition to the United States to face trial on espionage charges. The decision came on Monday from a London court.

What are the charges Assange is facing?

Assange, 52, has been detained in London’s Belmarsh Prison since April 2019. His arrest followed nearly seven years of asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. The US government has charged him with 18 counts, including espionage and hacking government computers, related to WikiLeaks’ 2010 release of thousands of classified documents.

Legal arguments and concerns

Assange's legal team argued that the US government provided “blatantly inadequate” assurances regarding his treatment if extradited, particularly concerning press freedoms and protections. They maintain that Assange's prosecution is politically motivated and that his rights as a journalist and whistleblower would not be adequately safeguarded in the US.

Next steps in legal proceedings

The decision to allow an appeal offers a temporary reprieve for Assange, who faces significant legal battles ahead. His legal team will continue to challenge the extradition on various grounds, focusing on the potential impact on press freedom and human rights.