Assange appeal against extradition to include CIA assassination plot

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's brother said on Friday the Assange legal team's appeal against his extradition to the US would include information about a CIA plot to assassinate him.

"It will likely be a few days before the (14-day appeal) deadline and the appeal will include new information that we weren't able to bring before the courts previously. Information on how Julian lawyers were spied on, and how there were plots to kidnap and kill Julian from within the CIA," Gabriel Shipton told Reuters in an interview.

Shipton also said the decision could have dangerous consequences and called on the Biden government to drop the allegations.

"UK government and judiciary at the highest level has found that if you publish evidence of corruption, war crimes and torture in the UK you may be extradited to a third country," Shipton said. "It is now up to President Biden to drop this prosecution and restore faith in the ability of the fourth estate to play their role in functioning democracies."

British Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday agreed to extradite WikiLeaks founder to the United States to face his criminal charges.

However, Assange has 14 days to appeal the decision, after which he will be extradited within 28 days if an appeal is refused.

“In this case, the UK courts have not found it would be oppressive, unjust, or an abuse of process to extradite Mr. Assange,” the Home Office said.

UK approves Julian Assange’s extradition to US, fuels worldwide outrage

The UK government has approved the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US to face criminal charges.

“Nor have they found extradition would be incompatible with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial and to freedom of expression, and that while in the US he will be treated appropriately, including in relation to his health.”

Assange’s lawyers had previously said that he could face a possible penalty of up to 175 years in prison if convicted in the US.

They also believe the approval of his extradition is a “grave threat” to freedom of speech.

This is “a grave threat to freedom of speech, not just for Julian but for every journalist and editor and media worker in this country,” said the lawyer, Jennifer Robinson.

Assange’s wife, Stella Moris, also denounced the move, saying the UK “should not be engaging in persecution on behalf of a foreign power that is out for revenge... that foreign power committed crimes which Julian put into the sunlight.”

Assange faces trial in the US over the publication of secret files that exposed the US military’s war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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