POLITICS
Julian Assange extradition: A timeline of WikLeaks’ founder’s legal history
The head of Wikileaks has spent years trying to keep from being tried in US courts after leaking classified information of potential US war crimes.
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been embroiled in a legal battle for over a decade, fighting extradition to the United States on charges of violating the Espionage Act. The US government alleges that the publishing of details of potential US war crimes in the Middle East was illegal.
His plight has drawn global attention, with supporters arguing that his prosecution poses a threat to press freedom.
Currently, Assange remains in a UK prison as his lawyers launch a final High Court bid to prevent his extradition to the US, where he could face up to 175 years in prison if convicted on all charges. The case has become a flashpoint in the debate over national security and the public’s right to know.
A timeline of WikLeaks’ founder’s legal history
August 2010: Swedish prosecutors issue an arrest warrant for Assange based on allegations of rape and molestation, which he denies.
December 2010: Assange surrenders to UK police and is detained pending an extradition hearing to Sweden. He is granted bail.
February 2011: A UK district court rules Assange should be extradited to Sweden over the allegations.
June 2012: Assange enters the Ecuadorian embassy in London seeking asylum after his appeals against extradition are rejected. Police set up a round-the-clock guard.
August 2012: Ecuador grants Assange political asylum.
August 2015: Swedish prosecutors drop some allegations against Assange due to statute of limitations, but the rape allegation remains.
October 2015: UK police end their 24-hour embassy guard but say they’ll arrest Assange if he leaves.
April 2019: Ecuador withdraws Assange’s asylum after blaming him for recent allegations. UK police arrest him for breaching bail conditions.
May 2019: Assange is sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for skipping bail in 2012.
May 2019: The US charges Assange with violating the Espionage Act over WikiLeaks’ publication of classified documents.
November 2019: Sweden drops its rape investigation against Assange.
January 2021: A UK judge blocks Assange’s extradition to the US, citing concerns over his mental health.
December 2021: The High Court accepts US assurances about Assange’s treatment, allowing extradition appeals.
March 2022: UK’s Supreme Court refuses to hear Assange’s appeal against extradition.
June 2022: UK government orders Assange’s extradition, which he appeals.
February 2024: Assange’s lawyers launch a final High Court bid to stop his extradition to the US.