Devendra Kumar
US President Joe Biden recently hinted that the government may drop the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, following a request from the Australian government. This development comes as the anniversary of Assange’s imprisonment approaches, marking eight years since his arrest and prolonged fight against extradition to the US. The ongoing controversy surrounding Assange’s case stems from his alleged role in conspiring to obtain and disclose national defense information, as published in hundreds of thousands of leaked documents related to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
Biden made the comment during a White House press conference, responding to a question about the Australian government’s request. He cautiously stated, “we’re considering it,” leaving room for speculation on the government’s ultimate decision. The request from Canberra originates from a January 2021 ruling by then-district judge Vanessa Baraitser, who refused to send Assange to the US, citing a real and “oppressive” risk of suicide. However, US authorities later succeeded in overturning this block, paving the way for Assange’s extradition.
In a recent two-day hearing, lawyers for Assange sought permission to challenge the original judge’s dismissal of other parts of his case, with the aim of preventing his extradition. The judges, Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr. Justice Johnson, rejected the majority of Assange’s legal arguments but provided a glimmer of hope, stating that unless assurances are given by the US, Assange would be able to appeal on three grounds. These assurances include protection by and allowance to rely on the First Amendment, protection from prejudice at trial due to his nationality, and the absence of the death penalty.
The judges granted US authorities three weeks to provide these assurances, with a potential final hearing scheduled for late May. It remains to be seen whether the US will seize this opportunity to drop the prosecution against Assange, but the prospect is certainly intriguing. The trajectory of Assange’s legal battle is uncertain, yet this development may signal a shift in the government’s stance. As the situation unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, anxiously awaiting the outcome of Assange’s case and the potential implications for freedom of speech and press.