U.K. government approves extradition of Julian Assange to U.S., Wikileaks says he will appeal

Home Secretary of U. K. Priti Patel signed the extradition order of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, following a British court ruling in April that Mr. Assange could be sent to the U. S.

The British government has ordered the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to face spying charges. Wikileaks has responded, saying that Mr. Assange would appeal his extradition.

Home Secretary Priti Patel signed the extradition order on Friday, her department said. It follows a British court ruling in April that Mr. Assange could be sent to the U. S.

“Today is not the end of the fight. It is only the beginning of a new legal battle. We will appeal through the legal system,” a statement on the Wikileaks Twitter accounts said. 

The Home Office said in a statement that “the U. K. courts have not found that it would be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process to extradite Mr. Assange.”

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

The decision is a big moment in Mr. Assange’s years-long battle to avoid facing trial in the U. S. — though not necessarily the end of the tale. Mr. Assange has 14 days to appeal.

A British judge approved the extradition in April, leaving the final decision to the government. The ruling came after a legal battle that went all the way to the U. K. Supreme Court.