UK court order moves Julian Assange closer to US extradition

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange supporters hold placards as they gather outside Westminster Magistrates court In London. [Alastair Grant/The Associated Press]

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a step closer to being extradited to the United States following an order by a United Kingdom court.

With Assange supporters gathered outside, the Westminster Magistrates’ court in London formally issued an order on Wednesday to extradite the Australian to the US to face spying charges for publishing a trove of classified information more than 10 years ago.