2010 Wikileaks Releases Classified Us Military Documents

Julian Assange's Extradition Battle: A Timeline

2010: WikiLeaks Releases Classified US Military Documents

In June 2010, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and The Guardian journalist Nick Davies revealed that the US Army had compiled a massive database containing classified information about the war in Afghanistan. WikiLeaks subsequently released over 90,000 of these documents, sparking international controversy.

2010-2019: Assange's Legal Battle Begins

Following the release of the classified documents, Assange faced legal challenges in multiple countries. In 2010, he was arrested in the UK on a Swedish extradition request related to sexual assault allegations. However, he fled to Ecuador's embassy in London in 2012, where he remained under political asylum for seven years.

2019: Assange Arrested and Extradition Proceedings Begin

In April 2019, Assange was arrested in the Ecuadorian embassy after his asylum status was revoked. He was charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and 17 counts of espionage by the US. In February 2020, a British court ruled to extradite him to the US, but Assange appealed the decision.

2021-2022: Assange's Health Deteriorates

Throughout the extradition proceedings, Assange's health deteriorated significantly. In October 2021, a United Nations expert concluded that Assange was suffering from "prolonged arbitrary detention" and that his extradition to the US would put his health at serious risk.

March 2022: British High Court Blocks Extradition

On March 14, 2022, the British High Court overturned the previous decision and ruled that Assange should not be extradited to the US. The court cited concerns about Assange's mental health and the possibility that he would face harsh treatment in the US.

Current Status: Assange Remains in UK Prison

As of March 2023, Julian Assange remains in prison in the UK while the US government has appealed the High Court's decision. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether Assange will be extradited to the US to face the charges against him.