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Julian Assange denied delay to extradition hearing by London judge

Reuters
LondonUpdated: Oct 21, 2019, 07:48 PM IST
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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen as he leaves a police station in London. Photograph:(Reuters)

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Assange appeared in a London court on Monday for a hearing on whether he should be extradited to the United States to face spying charges.

The full extradition hearing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will go ahead in February 2020 after London judge Vanessa Baraitser declined a request by his lawyers to delay proceedings by three months.

Assange appeared in a London court on Monday for a hearing on whether he should be extradited to the United States to face spying charges.

He was dressed in a navy suit and light blue jumper, and raised his fist to supporters in the public gallery. He was cleanly shaven in contrast to the long beard he had grown while holed up in Ecuador's embassy.

Wkileaks Editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said he was "disappointed " with the judge's decision while speaking to journalists after the court hearing.

Assange, 48, faces 18 counts in the U.S. including conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law. He could spend decades in prison if convicted.