Order against Julian Assange a 'farce called British justice' - Russia

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The ruling of a London court to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States is considered by Russia a shameful farce.

Everything was done "on the sly" when the public attention was diverted to Ukraine, Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a briefing on Wednesday.

According to Zakharova, the Westminster Court "actually performed the final scene in a farce called 'British Justice.'"

She added, "In the worst tradition of England, everything is done on time - 'on the sly,' when the international community is completely led by the Western media into a different reality."

"And in this very state, in principle, everything is possible, and even Assange being extradited to the United States, despite the demands of human rights activists. The aim always justifies the means for the Western community."

She added that "a formal end to this shameful process" is to be put to the head of the UK Home Office.

UK's Westminster Magistrate's Court ordered the extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to the United States on Wednesday, according to Wikileaks.

A #UK judge has ordered #JulianAssange's extradition to the US, where he faces a 175-year prison sentence for publishing information about #US war crimes. The decision will now be finalized by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel; the defense has until May 18 to make submissions. pic.twitter.com/ZXp2WR9Rph

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 20, 2022

WikiLeaks added in a post on Twitter that Julian Assange will be extradited to the US where he will face a 175-year sentence for publishing. 

“The decision will now move to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel – the defense has until May 18 to make submissions," the tweet read.

On his account, WikiLeaks' Chief Editor commented on the court’s decision by saying, "London Court signs death sentence for Assange by ordering his extradition to the US."

Last month, Assange was denied permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court in case any moves were made against him regarding extradition to the United States. Assange's extradition could make him face up to 175 years in prison for exposing US war crimes and more. 

Assange is wanted for trial for publicizing over 500,000 secret military files pertaining to Washington's wars against Iraq and Afghanistan.

The current rulings bring his standing in British courts closer to an end unless Assange's lawyers launch a challenge on a separate point in the suit. 

Last year in January, Assange's sentencing or punishment was postponed when reports arose that he was feeling suicidal as he was kept in maximum-security solitary confinement at a Special Administrative Measures (SAMs). 

In a hearing in October that lasted two days, the US claimed that Assange will not be held in isolation and will improve the conditions of his confinement despite reports conveying otherwise.

In January, Assange was granted permission to appeal his extradition to the United States.