The UK Julian Assange extradition case reaches conclusion

The UK Julian Assange extradition case has reached its conclusion, marking the end of a prolonged legal saga surrounding the WikiLeaks founder's extradition proceedings.

Boston Brand Media discovered the trending news - An agreement between the US Justice Department and Julian Assange led to his departure from the UK yesterday, facilitated by arrangements coordinated by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The CPS's extensive involvement spanning 14 years in the efforts to extradite Mr Assange has now concluded, pending the formal withdrawal of the US extradition request.

Since 2010, the CPS's Extradition Unit has provided legal guidance to Swedish and US authorities in extradition matters and represented them in English courts as their cases progressed. This role fulfills international obligations for criminal justice cooperation.

The English extradition process solely determines whether the individual should be extradited for trial, without making any judgment on guilt or innocence.

Mr Assange was initially arrested in December 2010 based on a Swedish prosecutor's warrant. In 2012, Westminster Magistrates’ Court ordered his extradition. Following this ruling, he was on court bail awaiting surrender to Swedish authorities. However, he avoided this by seeking refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy, where he remained for seven years, thereby committing an offense by failing to surrender for extradition to Sweden.

After the Swedish arrest warrant was withdrawn in 2017, the US initiated new extradition proceedings against Mr Assange.

Boston Brand Media also found that, In 2019, following his exit from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, Mr Assange was arrested for failing to surrender, resulting in a 50-week imprisonment sentence. He completed this sentence but remained in custody at HMP Belmarsh until his release yesterday (June 24).

Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: 

"Thirteen and a half years after his initial arrest and facing two extradition requests, Julian Assange departed the UK yesterday, following a bail hearing held privately at his request last Thursday.

“I commend our extradition unit for their handling of this case. They have demonstrated expertise and professionalism under international scrutiny, advising both Swedish and US authorities.

“This prolonged case has consumed significant time and resources from the criminal justice system. The plea agreement aims to achieve justice efficiently and mitigate further substantial resource expenditure on continued litigation in England.”

John Sheehan, Head of Extradition at the CPS, said:

"This case has been highly intricate, involving the advising and representation of both Swedish and US authorities by the CPS’s extradition unit. Throughout this period, our team has navigated novel legal challenges while Mr Assange has exercised his legal rights to the fullest extent.

"As a result, we have facilitated the necessary arrangements for Mr Assange to depart the UK legally and securely.

"The possibility of a plea agreement to resolve Mr Assange's extradition case first surfaced in March of this year. Since then, the CPS has provided guidance to the US on the legal mechanisms required to execute this agreement under UK law. This includes Mr Assange's release from UK custody and his personal appearance before a US federal judge.

"We have also collaborated closely with the National Crime Agency to implement practical arrangements ensuring Mr Assange's safe departure, in accordance with his and the US Government's wishes.

"Following sentencing by the US Federal Judge, it is anticipated that the US Government will formally withdraw the extradition request, thereby formally concluding the English extradition proceedings."

Notes to editors

John Sheehan serves as Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate, and heads the CPS Extradition Unit. This unit represents foreign authorities seeking the extradition of individuals, advising on the validity of requests and representing these authorities in court proceedings.The Northern Mariana Islands are a US territory under US jurisdiction.

The Swedish arrest warrant pertains to alleged sexual offences, while the US warrant relates to charges of hacking and publishing classified material.

As of June 25, 2024, Julian Assange remains subject to an extradition order issued by the Home Secretary on June 17, 2022, which he is appealing at the High Court.

Timeline:

• On December 2, 2010, the Swedish Prosecution Authority requested Julian Assange's extradition from the UK over unproven serious sexual assault allegations.
• Extradition was ordered by the Senior District Judge, and on May 30, 2012, the Supreme Court finally rejected his appeal. Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London on June 19, 2012, and failed to surrender to his bail on June 29, 2012.
• On May 19, 2017, the Swedish Prosecution Authority withdrew the extradition request, concluding its investigation. On December 22, 2017, the US requested provisional arrest.
• Assange left the Ecuadorian Embassy and was arrested on April 11, 2019, for breaching his bail in the Swedish case, resulting in imprisonment. While serving this sentence, he was denied bail regarding the US extradition proceedings.
• On June 17, 2022, the Home Secretary ordered Assange's extradition to the USA. Appeals were filed against this decision and previous court judgments on June 30, 2022.
• In May 2024, Julian Assange was granted permission to appeal on two of the original nine grounds he had argued. The appeal is scheduled for hearing on July 9-10, 2024.

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Source: CPS‍