WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is allegedly facing a prosecution by the U.S. Justice Department, Fox News informed.
Several potential charges are mentioned among U.S. prosecutors, and while these charges are still in the process of determination, it is possible that they might include the Espionage Act.
Assange has been seeking asyum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London when the British courts ordered his extradition to Sweden where he had to face questioning in a sexual assault case. However, this case has been dropped, but now his supporters stated that Assange fears being extradited to the U.S. if he leaves the embassy.
WikiLeaks is faced with a federal grand jury probe over its publication of American diplomatic and military secrets stemming from the war in Iraq.
The website is also famous from back in the 2016 presidential election when Russian spies reportedly provided WikiLeaks with emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign in an attempt to discredit Clinton and help Donald Trump. Assange has rejected any trade with the Russian government or supporting the Trump campaign.
Officials have mulled the possibility of presenting charges against Assange publicly in order to induce his ousting from the embassy, believing that their evidence could provide Ecuador to expel him from the embassy.
Late last month, Assange argued in court that Ecuador’s government was attempting to force him out of their London embassy with the goal of handing him over to the U.S.
Assange sought a court injunction to force the government to withdraw new rules requiring him to pay for doctor visits and WiFi, among other things. A judge ruled against Assange.
Barry Pollack, a lawyer who represents Assange, told the Journal that he hadn’t been made aware of any developments and condemned the notion of prosecuting him.
“We have heard nothing from authorities suggesting that a criminal case against Mr. Assange is imminent,” Pollack said. “Prosecuting someone for publishing truthful information would set a terrible and dangerous precedent.”
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