BREAKING: UK Court formally extradites WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US

Assange faces 175 years in jail in the US if extradited, over an alleged conspiracy to disclose national defense information. He’s accused of publishing hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to America’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The extradition order was issued by chief magistrate Paul Goldspring during a seven-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today Wednesday April 20 at around 12noon.

Assange Pulse

Mr Goldspring said: "In layman's terms, I am duty bound to send your case to the secretary of state for a decision."

Immediately after the order was issued, Wikileaks tweeted:

“BREAKING: A UK judge has ordered the extradition of Julian Assange to the US where he will face a 175 year sentence for publishing

The decision will now move to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel – the defense have until May 18 to make submissions https://crowdjustice.com/case/assangeap”

Wikileaks on Assange extradition Pulse

Julian Assange's wife spoke after todays court hearing saying, "The UK has no obligation to extradite Julian Assange to the US, in fact it is required by its international obligations to stop this extradition..this is a political case..free Julian Assange"

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel will need to approve the order for it to take effect, although Assange’s lawyers are expected appeal to the High Court.

Prior to the sentencing, many activists in the UK came out to show support to Assange and to show disapproval for a possible extradition order, with many saying that if he extradited, it will really be the end of freedom, especially for journalism.