Free Julian Assange!​

London, December 11 (RHC)-- Despite efforts by Washington to have WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange extradited to face criminal charges in the United States, attorneys for the Australian journalist say he will fight the order to the last possible consequences.   

On Friday, UK Judge Timothy Holroyde said he was satisfied with a pledge from the United States that Assange would not be held in a maximum-security prison in Colorado -- and ruled in favor of extradition.  A London district judge had previously ruled Assange should not be extradited because he would likely die by suicide in a U.S. prison.  

Outside the court, supporters rallied for Assange’s release, warning his extradition would be a major blow to press freedom worldwide.  

This comes two days after Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the White House’s virtual Summit for Democracy, where he announced U.S. efforts to support independent journalism and reporters targeted for their work.