Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will have to wait to find out whether he can appeal over his extradition to the United States, the High Court has ruled.
A further hearing will now be held in May, two High Court judges said, unless the US can give further assurances about what will happen to him.
American prosecutors allege the 52-year-old encouraged and helped US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal diplomatic cables and military files that his site published.
But Assange’s supporters say he is a hero who is being persecuted for exposing US wrongdoing.
Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson dismissed most of Assange’s legal arguments, but said unless assurances were given by the US he would be able to bring an appeal on three grounds, including breach of freedom of expression and because he might receive the death penalty.
The judges said US authorities had three weeks to give those assurances, with a final decision to be made in late May.
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In a 66-page ruling, Dame Victoria said: “Before making a final decision on the application for leave to appeal, we will give the respondent an opportunity to give assurances.
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“If assurances are not given then we will grant leave to appeal without a further hearing.
“If assurances are given then we will give the parties an opportunity to make further submissions before we make a final decision on the application for leave to appeal.”
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