LONDON: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange began on Tuesday what could be his last chance to stop his extradition from Britain to the US after more than 13 years battling the authorities in the English courts.
US prosecutors are seeking to put Assange, 52, on trial on 18 counts relating to WikiLeaks’ high-profile release of vast troves of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables.
They argue the leaks imperilled the lives of their agents and there is no excuse for his criminality. Assange’s supporters hail him as an anti-establishment hero and a journalist, who is being persecuted for exposing US wrongdoing.
Outside the high court in London, a large, noisy crowd gathered, chanting “Only one decision, no extradition”.