District Judge Vanessa Baraitser on Monday ruled against Julian Assange’s extradition to the US, where he is indicted on obtaining and publishing secret documents and conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.
Baraitser accepted some of the arguments posed by the defence, including that the WikiLeaks founder would probably be subjected to high levels of isolation before and after the trial in the US, so his mental health could be harshly affected.
His supporters started gathering outside the court in Old Bailey in the early morning. Shortly after the court ruled against extradition, people broke into spontaneous celebrations at what is Assange’s first legal victory in years.
Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange carry a banner outside the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, in London, Britain, 4 January 2021.
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© AP Photo / Kirsty Wigglesworth
John Rees from the 'Free Julian Assange' campaign speaking outside the Old Bailey after a ruling that Assange cannot be extradited to the United States, in London, Monday, 4 January 2021. Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the US. because of concerns about his mental health. Assange has been charged under the US's 1917 Espionage Act for "unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to the national defence".
A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a banner outside the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, in London, Britain, 4 January 2021.
Photographers try to take a picture of the inside of a prison van that arrived at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, as they wait for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's arrival in London, Britain, 4 January 2021.
Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange celebrate outside the Old Bailey court in central London on 4 January 2021 after a judge ruled that Assange should not be extradited to the United States to face espionage charges for publishing secret documents online.
A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange wears a sticker outside the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, in London, Britain, 4 January 2021.
A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a placard outside the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, in London, Britain, 4 January 2021.
A prison van arrives at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court as members of the media wait for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's arrival, in London, Britain, 4 January 2021.
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© AP Photo / Kirsty Wigglesworth
A Julian Assange supporter is spoken to by police officers outside the Old Bailey in London, Monday, 4 January 2021. Judgement was given by Judge Vanessa Baraitser on Julian Assange's extradition hearing to the US. Assange had been charged under the US's 1917 Espionage Act for "unlawfully obtaining and disclosing classified documents related to the national defence".
Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange celebrate outside the Old Bailey court in central London after a judge ruled on 4 January 2021 that Assange should not be extradited to the United States to face espionage charges for publishing secret documents online.
