The Colombian president "has been quite clear and frank in his statements on the case and we have been able to perceive the commitment of the Government of Colombia with universal principles. | Photo: Presidency of Colombia

Bogota, November 24 (RHC)-- The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, received at the Presidential House headquarters spokespersons of the leaks portal, WikiLeaks, with whom he pledged to be part of the struggle and pressure for the release of its founder, Julian Assange, imprisoned in the United Kingdom and claimed in the United States.

According to the president himself, upon receiving the guests, he talked about what he called "the risks that exist for democracy and freedom of the press" if Julian Assange is ultimately extradited to the United States.  During the meeting, Gustavo Petro committed to exert pressure with the U.S. government in defense of Assange.

Petro's counterparts at the meeting, WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson and WikiLeaks ambassador Joseph Farrell, the Colombian president "has been quite clear and frank in his statements on the case and we have been able to perceive the commitment of the Colombian government to universal principles and the law on freedom of expression."

On June 17, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel approved Assange's extradition to the United States, where he could be sentenced to 175 years in prison.

Washington is demanding Assange's extradition from the United Kingdom, where he has been detained since 2019, to try him for 17 alleged offenses in violation of the Espionage Act of 1917 and one of computer intrusion.

The charges relate to the access and publication of military reports on Iraq, Afghanistan and the illegal Guantanamo base, as well as diplomatic reports revealing war crimes and other abuses committed by U.S. officials and authorities.