Biden says 'considering' Australia request to end Assange prosecution
2 Min Read
The next court hearing is scheduled for May 20, pending the submission of required documentation by the involved parties.
-
Demonstrators hold placards after Stella Assange, wife of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, released a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (AP)
On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden revealed that he is considering a request from Australia to halt the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, as reported by the White House press pool.
"We're considering it," Biden responded to inquiries regarding Australia's plea to cease the US government's pursuit of Assange.
In March, the UK's High Court of Justice in London extended the extradition proceedings for Assange to the US, citing potential success on three of the nine appeal grounds.
The High Court requested assurances from the US government regarding Assange's rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, ensuring freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and the right to petition the government for grievances.
The High Court further sought guarantees from the US that Assange's trial would not be prejudiced due to his nationality and that he would not face capital punishment.
The next court hearing is scheduled for May 20, pending the submission of required documentation by the involved parties.
Read more: Julian Assange proclaimed honorary citizen of Rome
Assange is facing a lengthy court struggle with the British government to prevent extradition to the United States to face trial for publishing thousands of sensitive US military data and diplomatic cables in 2010.
He was charged by US prosecutors in 2019 and has been captured in London since.
On March 21, the Wall Street Journal reported that US Justice Department is considering allowing Assange to plead guilty to a reduced charge of mishandling classified information, potentially ending his 14-year legal troubles.
Sources told WSJ that Justice Department officials and Assange's attorneys have had early conversations in recent months about what a plea deal may look like.
Barry Pollack, one of Assange's lawyers, divulged that he has yet to receive any indication the government will accept a bargain, if any.
Under such a deal, Assange might submit that plea remotely, without having to go to the US. The time he has spent behind bars in London would count toward any US sentence, and he would most likely be released soon after any agreement was reached.
