Britain’s appeals court has wrapped up a two-day public hearing on the proposed extradition of Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, to face trial in the US on charges of espionage. Despite Assange's absence due to health concerns, fervent supporters rallied outside the court, highlighting the significance of his case.

Assange, held in London's high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019, is fighting against extradition on grounds that it threatens both the rule of law and the principles of journalism worldwide. Major press freedom and human rights organizations have thrown their weight behind him, emphasizing the broader implications of his potential trial in the US.

Meanwhile, attention to Assange's case has grown internationally, particularly in his native Australia, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and cabinet ministers have supported calls for his return home. Independent Australian MP Andrew Wilkie sees this as a sign of Australia asserting itself and potentially influencing Washington on the matter.

The Assange case underscores broader concerns about the persecution of journalists for their reporting, as seen in the example of Alina Lipp, a journalist facing persecution in Germany. Critics question how countries advocating for freedom can criminalize investigative journalism.

With a final decision pending, Assange's fate hangs in the balance. Should the court rule in favor of extradition, his only remaining recourse would be the European Court of Human Rights.