Will Obama administration request Julian Assange's extradiction from Sweden if he goes there?

[Better Believe It]

December 8, 2010

The federal government is already in the unusual position of having to provide full diplomatic assistance to the arrested Mr Assange at the same time as it has slammed his actions in releasing thousands of classified documents on his website.

Imagine how much more difficult this will become if - as many suspect - Mr Assange ends up in the US facing espionage-related charges.

Lawyers for Mr Assange fear that this is the ultimate motive behind his arrest on a Swedish extradition warrant in relation to alleged sex offences.

If he is extradited to Sweden, they believe that the Americans will request his extradition to the US.

Yet Washington is struggling to identify precisely what case it could bring against Mr Assange.

US Attorney-General Eric Holder is examining whether Mr Assange could be charged with a crime under the 1917 Espionage Act which prohibits the transmission of defence-related documents.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/wikileaks/wikileaks-founde-julian-assange-poised-to-be-labors-david-hicks/story-fn775xjq-1225967649991

[redirish28]

1. Obama administration has in my mind proven it is the mirror image of the Bush

administration.


I'm seeing a 2 headed coin being flipped.


Assange is only doing what Obama Promised in his Campaign.

[Canuckistanian]

2. I think that will be the trigger

If Assange is handed over to American custody, the key to the 'insurance' file will be revealed and the rest of the info will be released - uncensored, unedited and unvetted.

Because his life would be toast after that.

[provis99]

3. why wouldn't they just extradite him from Britain?

He's already under arrest there; they could easily send him to the US for some trumped up espionage charge.

[Better Believe It]

4. For domestic political reasons I'm sure. It might be easier to do it from Sweden.

[MadHound]

5. No, the CIA and military will demand Assange's extradition.

Obama will simply deliver Mr. Assange to them.