WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange files appeal in UK court against US extradition

Nearly two months after British government ordered extrition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to United States to face espion charges, his legal team has filed an appeal in UK’s high court. Assange's appeal came after a British court ruling that cleared his extrition to US. Later, in June, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel signed extrition order. However, Assange received backing from United Nations human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet. As he got support from top UN official, Assange’s legal team underscored it was perfect time to appeal in UK’s high court.

tably, 51-year-old Assange has battled in British courts for deces to avoid being sent to United States. He faces at least 17 charges of espion and one charge of computer misuse. However, his legal team argued that ir client is being charged and penalised for his political opinions. On or hand, his wife, Stella Assange, took to microblogging site on Saturday and dubbed prosecution unlawful. "Overwhelming evidence has emerged proving that US prosecution against my husband is a criminal abuse," she wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, in a statement released by WikiLeaks, it said Assange is filing his Perfected Grounds of Appeal before High Court of Justice ministrative Court.

According to statement, Perfected Grounds of Appeal contain arguments on which Assange intends to challenge District Judge Vanessa Baraitser's decision of 4 January 2021, and introduces significant new evidence that has developed since that ruling.

"Since last ruling, overwhelming evidence has emerged proving that United States prosecution against my husband is a criminal abuse. High Court judges will w decide wher Julian is given opportunity to put case against United States before open court, and in full, at appeal," Stella Assange said. On or hand, US prosecutors argued Assange unlawfully assisted US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk. Journalism organisations and human rights groups have called on Britain to refuse extrition request.

(Im: AP)