President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced in his morning conference this week that Mexico is “in a position” to offer political asylum to WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange. In addition, President Obrador congratulated the United Kingdom justice system for rejecting Assange’s extradition to the United States, where he would be tried on espionage charges and face a 175-year prison sentence.

 

“He is a journalist and deserves a chance, I am in favor of being pardoned. Not only that, I am going to ask the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to do the corresponding procedures to request that the United Kingdom government release Mr. Assange and for Mexico to offer political asylum,” said President Obrador.

 

On the morning of Mon., Jan. 4, British justice rejected Assange’s extradition request to the United States on charges of espionage; Judge Vanessa Baraitser argued her decision based on health reasons.

 

Dozens of Assange supporters celebrated the decision outside the court. For now, the “hacker” has returned to London’s Belmarsh prison where he remains under strict security surveillance.

 

Assange’s defense has requested his release on bail, however, Judge Baraister ordered that he remain in custody for the time being. Now the United States government has 14 days to appeal the ruling.

 

Next Wed., Jan. 13, a special visit will be held as part of Assange’s defense team’s request for him to be released on bail.

 

Washington accuses Assange of obtaining and publishing confidential documents on the military intervention of the United States and its allies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

Sources: Federal Government, CNN