UK judge denies US request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange
(VOVWORLD) - A British judge on Monday rejected a US request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US to face 18 charges of revealing classified US government documents on WikiLeaks.
 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. (Photo: Reuters) |
49-year-old Assange is being held at Belmarsh prison in London. His lawyers have argued that his prosecution is politically motivated, and if he is extradited to the US, it would threaten the rights of journalists.
US prosecutors say they will appeal the verdict. Edward Fitzgerald, one of Assange’s lawyers, says he will ask for Assange to be released on bail in the mean time.