By Neenah Payne

Julian Assange is facing extradition to the United States where he would be subject to a show trial and could face up to 175 years in prison. This is a grave injustice and everything must be done to stop it from happening.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet recently released a statement:

"The potential extradition and prosecution of Mr. Assange raises concerns relating to media freedom and a possible chilling effect on investigative journalism and on the activities of whistle-blowers."

Assange's Perfected Grounds of Appeal

Stella Assange, Julian's wife, said on 8/27:

"Since the last ruling, overwhelming evidence has emerged proving that the United States prosecution against my husband is a criminal abuse. The High Court judges will now decide whether Julian is given the opportunity to put the case against the United States before open court, and in full, at the appeal."

Assange filed his Perfected Grounds of Appeal before the High Court of Justice Administrative Court on August 26. The Respondents are the Government of the United States and the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Priti Patel.

Press Release

The Perfected Grounds of Appeal contain the arguments on which Julian Assange intends to challenge District Judge Vanessa Baraitser's decision of January 4, 2021, and introduces significant new evidence that has developed since that ruling.

The Perfected Grounds of Appeal concerning the United States Government include the following:

Julian Assange is being prosecuted and punished for his political opinions (s.81(a) of the Extradition Act)

Julian Assange is being prosecuted for protected speech (Article 10)

The request itself violates the US-UK Extradition Treaty and International law because it is for political offences

The US Government has misrepresented the core facts of the case to the British courts

The extradition request and its surrounding circumstances constitute an abuse of process.