When United Kingdom District Judge Vanessa Baraitser declared she was rejecting the United States request to extradite Julian Assange, his partner Stella Moris wept with relief. In an emotional speech outside the court, Moris described the ruling as “the first step towards justice”, and called on US President Donald Trump to halt further extradition efforts.
According to Baraitser’s ruling, Assange could not be extradited because he was depressed and at risk of committing suicide. Assange’s lawyers are planning to apply for bail, while lawyers for the US government say they are going to appeal.
Although he is by no means a free man, this crucial round goes to the Australian WikiLeaks founder.
But on every other point of law, the judge found in favour of the US. She rejected claims that Assange’s case was politically motivated, that he would not get a fair trial and that it was an assault on press freedom.
So, is this a victory for Assange and his supporters, or a…
