London – Wikileaks founder Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the United States, a court in London has ruled.
The judge blocked the request because of concerns over Assange’s mental health and risk of suicide in the US.
Assange, who is wanted over the publication of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011, says the case is politically motivated.
Expressing disappointment at the ruling, the US justice department noted that its legal arguments had prevailed.
Its position is that the leaks broke the law and endangered lives.
“While we are extremely disappointed in the court’s ultimate decision, we are gratified that the United States prevailed on every point of law raised,” the justice department said.
The US authorities have 14 days in which to lodge an appeal and are expected to do so.
Assange will now be taken back to Belmarsh Prison – where he is being held – and a full application for his bail will be made on Wednesday.
His lawyer Ed Fitzgerald QC told the court there would be evidence to show Mr Assange would not abscond.
What did the judge say?
District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that while US prosecutors had met the tests for Assange to be extradited for trial, the US was incapable of preventing him from attempting to take his own life.
Outlining evidence of his self-harm and suicidal thoughts, she said: “The overall impression is of a depressed and sometimes despairing man fearful for his future.”
She said: “Faced with the conditions of near total isolation without the protective factors which limited his risk at HMP Belmarsh, I am satisfied the procedures described by the US will not prevent Assange from finding a way to commit suicide and for this reason I have decided extradition would be oppressive by reason of mental harm and I order his discharge.”
Assange, who wore a blue suit and green face mask in the dock, closed his eyes as the judge read out her ruling on Monday.
His fiancée Stella Moris, with whom he has two young sons, wept and was comforted by Wikileaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, who sat next to her in court.
Speaking outside court after the ruling, she called on the US president to “end this now”.
“Mr President, tear down these prison walls,” she said. “Let our little boys have their father. Free Julian, free the press, free us all.” (BBC)
