President Biden Hints at Dropping Charges
The wife of Julian Assange, Stella Assange, expressed hope on Thursday that her husband’s legal battle might be heading in a favorable direction following a statement from President Biden suggesting that the U.S. could abandon charges against the WikiLeaks founder.
Supporters of Assange gathered in various cities to demand his release, marking the fifth anniversary of his incarceration at London’s Belmarsh prison.
Appeal for Assange to Return Home
President Biden’s response to a request from Australia to halt the decade-long U.S. pursuit of Assange for publishing classified documents indicated a potential shift. “We’re considering it,” Biden mentioned on Wednesday, hinting at the possibility of Assange returning to Australia rather than facing extradition to the U.S. on espionage charges.
Stella Assange hailed this development as “a good sign,” emphasizing that the indictment against her husband was “a Trump legacy” that should have been dropped by Biden from the outset.
Controversial Charges and Legal Battles
Assange, facing 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse for publishing U.S. documents, has been in prison since 2019. His supporters argue he is a journalist protected by the First Amendment who exposed military misconduct in Iraq and Afghanistan.
While Assange spent years in Ecuador’s London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden, his subsequent arrest led to legal complexities. A British court ruled recently that Assange’s extradition to the U.S. would require assurances against the death penalty and fair trial rights.
Health Concerns and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Amid health deterioration concerns, Assange’s inability to attend recent court hearings has drawn attention to his well-being. His wife fears he may face dire consequences if he remains incarcerated.
A court hearing on May 20 will further examine Assange’s appeal against extradition, focusing on key aspects such as First Amendment protections and the absence of the death penalty.