Julian Assange’s extradition to the US blocked by UK judge

Assange is facing charges in the United States of violating the Espionage Act and conspiring to hack government computers in connection with leaked documents concerning the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If convicted, Assange, 49, would face up to 175 years in prison, The New York Times reports.

The decision was praised by human rights groups, although not without some criticism. While it temporarily secures Assange's freedom from American authorities, some groups are concerned that his mental health and risk of suicide were cited as reasons not to extradite him rather than his role as a journalist, as his supporters would describe him.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected the idea that Assange is just a journalist. Rather, she expressed concern that "Mr. Assange’s risk of committing suicide, if an extradition order were to be made, [is] substantial." She further ruled that extraditing Assange "would be unjust and oppressive by reason of Mr. Assange's mental condition."

US authorities have indicated that they will seek an appeal to the ruling, dragging on the decade-long legal case for another few months at least.

The judge's decision nevertheless was cause for celebration outside the courthouse among supporters of Assange.

"Today, we are swept away by our joy at the fact that Julian will shortly be with us," said human rights activist Craig Murray. He further suggested that Assange would be seeking bail as he awaits an appeal hearing.

Stella Moris, Assange's fiancé, also expressed support for the ruling, but called upon President Donald Trump to pardon Assange. Moris made the same request of the President in December of last year in an appearance on Tucker Carlson Tonight.

Pressure has mounted on the President to pardon both Assange and Edward Snowden, the latter of whom fled to Russia after leaking information regarding the NSA's illegal mass surveillance activities.

Assange is a highly controversial figure, with supporters arguing that he is a journalist seeking to hold the US government accountable for their overseas actions while detractors consider him a threat to national security who exposed US military and intelligence secrets. Likewise, Assange's defense team has argued that his indictment in the US was politically motivated.