UK High Court says Assange will not face (immediate) extradition after inadequate assurance from US he will not face death penalty

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange “lives to fight another day” according to his brother Gabriel, as the UK High Court halted his potential transfer to the US on Tuesday due to inadequate assurances on his treatment if extradited to the US. The pause came following the court’s directive that the US government furnish assurances that Assange would be spared from facing the death penalty in the event of extradition.

The court held (Para 9-11) that Assange’s lawyers established that:

1. Assange might be prejudiced at his trial by reason of his nationality
2. Assange’s extradition may be incompatible with free speech protections under the European Convention on Human Rights
3. Assange’s extradition is “barred by inadequate specialty/death penalty protection”

The US will now have the opportunity to give further assurances regarding Assange’s treatment before the court renders a final decision on extradition.