Biden ‘considers’ Assange case

American President Joe Biden is “considering” a request to drop the prosecution of Julian Assange after judges ruled that the WikiLeaks founder could have grounds to appeal his extradition to the United States.

Assange, who was charged with multiple counts of espionage in 2019, has been imprisoned in Belmarsh Prison in Britain for five years as of yesterday, while an extradition battle plays out in the courts.

Earlier, it was reported that the US government could offer the Australian a plea deal, having repeatedly argued that he compromised intelligence sources around the world when WikiLeaks released almost half a million documents on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Asked about a request from Australia that he end the prosecution of Assange, the US president told reporters: “We’re considering it.”

In March, the High Court dismissed most of the legal arguments against Assange’s extradition. However, it said the Biden administration must issue various assurances – including that Assange would not face the death penalty.

The White House has until early next week to give those assurances, which will be followed by a final hearing in mid-May. Otherwise, the judges ruled that Assange would have grounds to appeal.

Speaking after the ruling, Assange’s wife, Stella, dismissed the idea that the US could issue “so-called diplomatic assurances”.

She told Sky News: “I find the decision bizarre. The courts have identified three major obstacles to Julian’s extradition but they’ve asked for a political intervention from the US government to address these issues.

“There is no assurance that the US can give that will keep Julian safe from what he is exposed to. If he is taken to the United States, he will be placed under conditions of extreme isolation which could – and will – drive him to commit suicide.”

A British judge ruled in 2021 that Assange should not be extradited because of the risk he could commit suicide in a US prison, but this was overturned on appeal.

There were signs last month that the US stance was beginning to soften amid reports that officials were drawing up a plea deal with Assange’s lawyers.

Under the terms of the agreement, he would plead guilty to mishandling classified information, the Wall Street Journal reported. The charge carries a lighter sentence than espionage.

Assange would be able to plead remotely, removing the need for him to appear in a US court, and time served in Britain would count towards his sentence – potentially meaning his release could be imminent.

Barry Pollack, a New York lawyer acting for Assange, has cast doubt on whether his client would plead guilty to the charges.

In February, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed a motion calling for the return of Assange to his homeland ahead of his hearing at the High Court.

Declaring “enough is enough”, Albanese said he had raised the case “at the highest levels” in Britain and the US.

“Regardless of where people stand, this thing cannot just go on and on and on indefinitely.”