Extradition of Julian Assange to US approved by UK govt

London: The UK government on Friday approved the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States following allegations of leaking classified documents pertaining to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel's ministerial sign-off for the extradition the 50-year-old Australian citizen was issued after several rounds of court appeals to the Supreme Court for the signing of ministers.

However, Assange's legal team would file a counter-appeal which would start a new round of legal battles.

UK Home Office spokesperson said, "On 17 June, following consideration by both the magistrates court and High Court, the extradition of Mr. Julian Assange to the US was ordered. Mr. Assange retains the normal 14-day right to appeal".

"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," the spokesperson said.

"In this case, the UK courts have not found that it would be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process to extradite Mr. Assange. Nor have they found that extradition would be incompatible with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial and to freedom of expression, and that whilst in the US he will be treated appropriately, including in relation to his health," the spokesperson added. Assange has denied any wrongdoing all along.

With PTI inputs