The Home Secretary has signed an order to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States, it was announced on Friday. WikiLeaks called it a “dark day” for press freedom and British democracy.
The Australian is being held at Belmarsh prison in London after mounting a lengthy battle to avoid being extradited. Home Secretary Priti Patel made the decision on Friday, although Mr Assange’s legal team will mount an appeal.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Under the Extradition Act 2003, the Secretary of State must sign an extradition order if there are no grounds to prohibit the order being made. Extradition requests are only sent to the Home Secretary once a judge decides it can proceed after considering various aspects of the case.