Joe Biden says US ‘considering’ ending prosecution of Julian Assange

Joe Biden has given an update on the Julian Assange case as the imprisoned Aussie WikiLeaks founder continues his fight against extradition to the US.

The US is “considering” dropping the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, following a request from the Australian government.

In February, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed a motion calling for Mr Assange’s return to Australia.

When asked about the request by reporters at the White House on Wednesday local time, US President Joe Biden said “we’re considering it”.

Assange faces prosecution in the US over an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information.

Julian Assange has spent the past five years in a British prison. Picture: AFP

This followed the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thursday marks five years since the 52-year-old was imprisoned in London, having been removed from the Ecuadorean Embassy where he had been staying.

During a two-day court hearing in February, lawyers for Mr Assange asked for the go-ahead to bring an appeal against his extradition to the US.

US President Joe Biden answered the question on Assange while hosting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House. Picture: AFP

Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson dismissed most of his legal arguments, but said unless assurances were given by the US around what would happen to him, he would be able to bring an appeal on three grounds.

These would include a breach of freedom of expression and fears he might receive the death penalty.

Mr Assange’s wife Stella called the judges’ decisions to delay their ruling as “utterly bizarre” and later told Sky News that her and her husband’s greatest fear is his death.

A final hearing will potentially take place in late May, with judges giving US authorities three weeks to give assurances.

Events will be held around the world on Thursday as Mr Assange’s family and supporters continue to campaign for his release.

In a January 2021 ruling, then-district judge Vanessa Baraitser said Mr Assange should not be sent to the US, citing a real and “oppressive” risk of suicide, while ruling against him on all other issues.

Later that year, US authorities won their High Court bid to overturn this block, paving the way towards his extradition.

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