US files appeal pressing for Assange extradition

The administration of US President Joe Biden has appealed a British judge's ruling against the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a Justice Department official said Friday. A brief filed late Thursday declared Washington's desire to have Assange stand trial on espionage and hacking-related charges over WikiLeaks' publication of hundreds of thousands of US military and diplomatic documents beginning in 2009. The Justice Department had until Friday to register its stance on Judge Vanessa Baraitser's January 4 ruling that Assange suffered mental health problems that would raise the risk of suicide if he were sent to the United States for trial. If convicted on all counts, Assange, 49, could face a prison sentence of 175 years.