Article authors:
Reuters
Michael Holden and Kanishka Singh
London — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange blocks London's High Court from handing over to the United States to face criminal charges I appealed to do it. The brothers said on Friday the latest steps in his court battle, which has been going on for more than a decade.
50 years old, including alleged espionage, in connection with WikiLeaks' confidential U.S. military records and the release of a huge swarm of diplomatic cables, which Washington said was endangered. Assange is being sought after by US authorities.
Last month, Home Secretary Priti Patel approved his transfer, and a British court concluded that his transfer was incompatible with his human rights, he said. He said it would be treated properly.
Australian-born Assange's legal team has appealed the decision in the High Court, his brother Gabriel Shipton confirmed. The court must approve the appeal, but it can take several months before the proceedings are concluded.
"We also urge the Australian Government to intervene immediately to end this nightmare," Shipton told Reuters.
The story began at the end of 2010 when Sweden sought Assange's delivery from Britain over allegations of sex crimes. When he lost the case in 2012, he fled to the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he spent seven years.
When finally pulled out in April 2019, the Swedish proceedings against him were withdrawn, but he was imprisoned for violating British bail terms. He has been fighting a transfer to the United States since June 2019 and remains in prison.
"I'm going to fight this. After Patel approves his surrender, his wife Stella Assange told reporters.
(Report by Michael Holden, William) Edited by Maclean)
