A British judge rejected an effort of the United States to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges for the publication of classified information, the Associated Press reports.
The judge specifically cited a high risk that the 49-year-old Assange would kill himself if he were held in the harsh conditions of American prisons, including solitary confinement, as the reason to deny extradition.
“I find that the mental condition of Mr. Assange is such that it would be oppressive to extradite him to the United States of America,” the judge said.
Assange’s lawyers will call for his release from British custody if the denial of extradition stands, but officials from the US Department of Justice said it will continue to pursue extradition.
“While we are extremely disappointed in the court’s ultimate decision, we are gratified that the United States prevailed on every point of law raised,” it said in a statement. “In particular, the court rejected all of Mr. Assange’s arguments regarding political motivation, political offense, fair trial and freedom of speech.”