LONDON (AP) — Britain's top court on Monday denied WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange permission to appeal a ruling to be extradited to the United States, where he is accused of espionage.
The court said its rejection is because the case “did not present a justifiable legal point.”
For years, 50-year-old Assange has tried to avoid a trial in the United States on a series of charges related to the publication on WikiLeaks of a huge number of documents classified more than a decade ago.
Initially, a British district court rejected the US extradition request on the grounds that Assange could commit suicide while under severe conditions in an American prison. The authorities of that country later assured that the founder of WikiLeaks would not have the harsh treatment that Assange's lawyers say could put his physical and mental health at risk.
In December, the High Court reversed the decision of the lower court on the grounds that the promises of the United States were sufficient to ensure that Assange would be treated humanely.
Monday's news limits Assange's legal remedies, but his team of lawyers is likely still trying to bring his case to the European Court of Human Rights.
The case is expected to be formally sent to British Interior Secretary Priti Patel to decide whether to authorize extradition.
Barry Pollac, Assange's US lawyer, said Monday that it was “extremely frustrating” that Britain's Supreme Court is not willing to hear the appeal.
“Mr. Assange will continue the legal process to prevent his extradition to the United States to face criminal charges for publishing truthful and relevant information,” he said.
US prosecutors say Assange illegally helped US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files later published by WikiLeaks, putting lives at risk.
However, Assange's advocates and lawyers argue that he acted as a journalist and is protected by the right to freedom of expression stipulated in the First Amendment of the US Constitution to publish documents exposing army crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. They claim that their case is politically motivated.
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Eric Tucker contributed to this firm from Washington.
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