Assange in last-ditch bid to avoid US extradition

Lawyers for Julian Assange have launched what could be his final bid to avoid extradition to the US to face trial over disclosing military secrets.

The two-day case at the High Court in London is hearing his team argue he should be allowed a full appeal.

Edward Fitzgerald KC told the court his client was being prosecuted "for engaging in ordinary journalistic practice".

If an appeal is turned down, Mr Assange could be handed over within weeks.

Supporters of the Wikileaks founder say he exposed wrongdoing, but the US says Mr Assange put lives at risk.

The case is being heard by two judges, Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson.

Mr Fitzgerald told them his client was "being prosecuted for engaging in ordinary journalistic practice of obtaining and publishing classified information, information that is both true and of obvious and important public interest."

He also confirmed that Mr Assange would not be attending court as he is unwell.

Mr Fitzgerald said he wants to argue in an appeal that his client had been subject to an alleged CIA plot to assassinate Mr Assange while he was taking refuge at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

That allegation involved "specific evidence" that had not been properly examined by British judges, he said.

"There is a real risk of further extrajudicial actions against him by the CIA or other agencies," he told court.

Another of Mr Assange's lawyers, Mark Summers KC, said there was evidence that the US "developed a plan to try to either kill or rendition Mr Assange to the USA."

He told court that the plan "only fell apart when the UK authorities weren't very keen on the thought of rendition, or a shootout, in the streets of London."

Some supporters of Assange started gathering outside court hours ahead of Tuesday's hearing, waving placards featuring the words "Drop the charges".

His wife Stella Assange thanked them for their backing and, addressing them from a stage outside court, said: "We have two big days ahead. We don't know what to expect, but you're here because the world is watching."

Jodie Asard had travelled to London from Adelaide with her son to show support and said: "It's probably the trial of the century to be honest in regards to free speech, free press and our right to know, so that's why I'm here".

Also outside court was Tim Dawson from the International Federation of Journalists, who said the case would make reporters think twice about publishing stories.

Originally from Australia, Mr Assange's mammoth legal battle began in 2010 when Wikileaks disclosed huge numbers of confidential military files from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - including footage showing a United States helicopter gunning down civilians in Baghdad.

He took refuge for seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, before being arrested by the Metropolitan Police in 2019.

The US demanded his extradition from the UK that year, saying the disclosures endangered lives.

Two years later, a British judge ruled that while the US had shown it had a legitimate criminal case against Mr Assange, he could not be transferred because he may try to harm himself.

The US later overturned that ruling after giving the UK new assurances about how it said Mr Assange would be humanely treated, including the possibility of spending any possible jail sentence in his native Australia.

Its lawyers have also repeatedly denied claims from Mr Assange's campaign that he could be sentenced to 175 years in jail.

At this week's hearing, Mr Assange's lawyers are asking for permission to challenge the extradition order signed by the then UK home secretary Priti Patel almost two years ago.

If they fail to convince judges there is anything wrong with that order, Mr Assange must be extradited within 28 days - unless he can convince the European Court of Human Rights to temporarily stop the aeroplane with a so-called "Rule 39" order.

Nick Vamos, the former head of extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service, said US Marshals could arrive in London within days if the High Court throws the case out.

"There is a very high threshold for [the European Court of Human Rights to intervene], namely that there is 'an imminent risk of irreparable damage' to his human rights, which of course is one of the arguments the High Court in London would have just rejected," he said.

Speaking to the BBC on Monday, Stella Assange said her husband would not survive in a US jail - and the case is politically-motivated.

"This case will determine if he lives or dies," she said.

Mr Assange has been kept at London's Belmarsh Prison since 2019 as the US extradition case proceeded.