At the Old Bailey this morning awaiting Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruling on the extradition to the US of Julian Assange. Assange faces 17 charges for receiving, possessing and disclosing classified documents related to the national defence, and one charge for computer misuse.
BREAKING: Julian Assange WILL NOT be extradited to the US. Judge Vanessa Baraitser has decided extradition would be oppressive – she orders his discharge and explains the US have a right to appeal against this decision. Assange will remain in custody.
District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said at the Old Bailey on Monday that, due to the real risk of suicide, the 49-year-old should not be extradited by "reason of mental health".
Assange, who sat in the dock of Court 2 in a blue suit and wearing a green face mask below his nose, closed his eyes as the judge read out her ruling.
In her judgment, Judge Baraitser referred to evidence of Assange's mental state. She said that "facing conditions of near total isolation" in US custody, she was satisfied that authorities there would not be able to prevent Assange from "finding a way to commit suicide".
Julian Assange's case has been adjourned until Wednesday when his defence will put forward their arguments for his bail pending the US's appeal of Judge Baraitser's judgement today. Assange will remain in custody.
Crowds chant “free Julian Assange” as Stella Morris and Kristin Hranfnsson address the press and the Assange’s supporters. Stella says the fight isn’t over yet and pleads with the President of the US directly. 
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