Britain orders the extradition of Julian Assange to
the United States. Approved by the Home Secretary.
The UK Government's decision to uphold the application
by the United States Department of Justice to
extradite Australian publisher Julian Assange according
to Nils Melzer and many other legal experts, imperils
journalists everywhere. Melzer states that the misguided
charges against Assange risk criminalizing reporting and will
damage press freedom. According to Melzer - free Assange
is the only right option.

Melzer describes this as another blow to press freedom, justice,
and rule of law and asks - how far have we sunk?

http://bloomsbury.com/au/trial-of-julian-assange-9781839766220/

Your thoughts please?

Jules is going to appeal the decision, but good luck in finding where the money to pay the lawyers is coming from, as Jules is big on transparency as long as it isn't Wikileaks or its donors. If he does end up going to the United States, it will be to face a trial. Chelsea (nee Brad) faced a trial some years ago without a jot of support from Wikileaks. I guess Jules had some very pressing priorities at the time. I wont celebrate unless he gets convicted. At least he is a step closer to an outcome.

It appears that Julian Assange could appeal the decision
and WikiLeaks said he would. Which of course means that
Assange's legal battle is not at an end. Not by a long shot.
It's been going on for more than a decade.

He can launch an appeal at London's High Court and he can
ultimately seek to take his case to the UK Supreme Court.

However, if the appeal is refused - Assange must be
extradited within 28 days.

Which looks like this is not the end of the fight for Assange
but only the beginning of a new legal battle.

The United States has given a package of assurances that
Assange will be treated fairly - taking his mental
health into account - including a pledge
that Assange could be transferred to Australia
to serve any sentence.

The federal government says it will continue to offer
consular assistance to Assange.

"We will continue to convey our expectations that
Mr Assange is entitled to due process, humane and
fair treatment, access to proper medical care, and
access to his legal team." A statement late on Friday
night from Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said.

"The Australian government has been clear in our view
that Mr Assange's case has dragged on for too long and
that it should be brought to a close."

"We will continue to express this view to the governments
of the United Kingdom and the United States.

I agree Foxy. It is not finished yet. I suspect that Jules will have a fair amount of support in the United States. If people there thought like me he would end up rotting in prison.

How does anyone break US law when they are not US citizens and are not in US jurisdiction at the time of the alleged offence?

The Australian Government should be demanding his immediate release.