The Australian House of Representatives has passed a motion urging the United States and Britain to end the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The motion, moved by independent lawmaker Andrew Wilkie, calls for Assange, an Australian citizen, to be allowed to return home. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the 86 lawmakers who voted in favor of the motion, while 42 lawmakers opposed it.
Both the government and the opposition have expressed their belief that the US pursuit of Assange has gone on for too long.Assange, who has been in London’s Belmarsh Prison since his arrest in 2019, is currently appealing against extradition to the US on espionage charges.
He had previously spent seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden, but the rape investigation against him was dropped in 2019.
Assange’s brother Gabriel Shipton expressed gratitude for the lawmakers’ vote, noting that his brother could potentially be extradited to the US next week. Shipton emphasized that the vote from Parliament is crucial and gives the government a mandate to strongly advocate for a political solution to bring Assange back home.
Wilkie argues that the extradition should be dropped. However, the Albanese government’s language has been more cautious, leaving open the possibility of a plea deal that could result in Assange spending no more time in custody.
Assange’s situation is seen as a test of Albanese’s influence with the US administration. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has previously disagreed with Albanese’s position, stating that Assange is accused of serious criminal conduct.
Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan expressed dissatisfaction with the motion, stating that it did not align with his party’s desire for a faster prosecution. Tehan emphasized the importance of justice prevailing in a timely manner and Assange having his day in court.
Assange is facing 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks’ publication of classified documents. The US alleges that he assisted Chelsea Manning in stealing classified diplomatic cables and military files.Australia has pointed out the disparity in treatment between Assange and Manning, with former US President Barack Obama commuting Manning’s sentence. Australia believes that a similar approach should be taken in Assange’s case.
Both the government and the opposition have expressed their belief that the US pursuit of Assange has gone on for too long.Assange, who has been in London’s Belmarsh Prison since his arrest in 2019, is currently appealing against extradition to the US on espionage charges.
He had previously spent seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden, but the rape investigation against him was dropped in 2019.
Assange’s brother Gabriel Shipton expressed gratitude for the lawmakers’ vote, noting that his brother could potentially be extradited to the US next week. Shipton emphasized that the vote from Parliament is crucial and gives the government a mandate to strongly advocate for a political solution to bring Assange back home.
Wilkie argues that the extradition should be dropped. However, the Albanese government’s language has been more cautious, leaving open the possibility of a plea deal that could result in Assange spending no more time in custody.
Assange’s situation is seen as a test of Albanese’s influence with the US administration. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has previously disagreed with Albanese’s position, stating that Assange is accused of serious criminal conduct.
Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan expressed dissatisfaction with the motion, stating that it did not align with his party’s desire for a faster prosecution. Tehan emphasized the importance of justice prevailing in a timely manner and Assange having his day in court.
Assange is facing 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks’ publication of classified documents. The US alleges that he assisted Chelsea Manning in stealing classified diplomatic cables and military files.Australia has pointed out the disparity in treatment between Assange and Manning, with former US President Barack Obama commuting Manning’s sentence. Australia believes that a similar approach should be taken in Assange’s case.