A court has formally approved the extradition of Julian Assange to the US on espionage charges, in what will ultimately be a decision for the UK home secretary, Priti Patel. Mark Summers QC, for Assange, told the chief magistrate that he had no option but to send the case to the home secretary. The brief hearing was taking place after the supreme court last month refused Assange’s appeal against his extradition. Moris was in the public gallery at Westminster magistrates court, where a large crowd of supporters gathered outside, including the former Labour party leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn said he hoped the home secretary would recognise her “huge responsibility” to stand up for free speech, journalism and democracy and release Assange.

Source: The Guardian April 20, 2022 17:10 UTC