CPJ, partners urge the US DOJ to drop charges against Assange

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen in London on May 1, 2019. Assange was recently indicted in the United States under the Espionage Act, the first such case conducted against a publisher. (Photo: AP/Matt Dunham)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen in London on May 1, 2019. Assange was indicted in the United States under the Espionage Act, the first such case conducted against a publisher. (Photo: AP/Matt Dunham)

The Committee to Protect Journalists led a coalition of civil society organizations urging the United States Department of Justice to drop charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who is currently being held in the U.K. pending a hearing on May 20 that could determine whether Assange is extradited to the U.S.

In 2019, U.S. prosecutors indicted Assange on 17 criminal charges under the Espionage Act and a separate charge under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in connection to WikiLeaks’ publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents. Assange’s lawyers have said that Assange faces up to 175 years in prison, although U.S. prosecutors have said the sentence would be much shorter.

The prosecution of Assange under these charges would have a chilling effect on press freedom globally, the statement warned.

Read the full statement here:

CPJ_Assange Letter_May 2024Download
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