U.K. Agree with Blocks Julian Assange’s Extradition to U.S., Citing Suicide Threat

LONDON—A British use rejected a U.S. inquire to extradite Julian Assange on spying costs, pronouncing the WikiLeaks founder could perhaps perhaps perhaps be at severe threat of suicide if sent to the U.S. to await trial in a excessive-security penal complicated.

The option marks a well-known setback in Washington’s pursuit of Mr. Assange for publishing secret paperwork referring to to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A licensed knowledgeable for the U.S. authorities said it would attraction, environment the stage for one other listening to within the arriving months on the High Court in London. A bail application is scheduled to be heard Wednesday.

Turning in her ruling Monday after months of sporadic hearings due to of the coronavirus pandemic, District Agree with Vanessa Baraitser said Mr. Assange has already toyed with suicide, and the prospect of detention in isolation within the U.S. would likely conclude in a suicide strive.

The use said the harsh prerequisites below which he would likely be held within the U.S. penal complicated machine would exacerbate that threat. The court heard proof from doctors who diagnosed Mr. Assange with depression and autism.

Below British extradition laws, as successfully as European human-rights laws that the U.K. is birthday party to, a use can block extradition on successfully being grounds if it would conclude in unjust or oppressive therapy.