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London (CNN) – A British judge rejected a US request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, ruling that such a move would be “oppressive” due to his mental health.
The 49-year-old Australian has been charged in the United States under the Espionage Act for his role in publishing classified military and diplomatic cables.
“I have decided that extradition would be oppressive and I order his release,” Judge Vanessa Baraitser said in her ruling on Monday.
Despite ruling that Assange would have a “fair trial” in case of extradition to the United States, the judge considered that the “special administrative measures” that Assange would likely be subject to would have a severe negative impact on his mental health.
In his full ruling, posted online, Baraitser wrote: “I accept that oppression as an impediment to extradition requires a high threshold… However, I am sure that, in these harsh conditions, Mr. Assange’s mental health would deteriorate causing to commit suicide with the ‘determined determination’ of his autism spectrum disorder.
“I find that Mr. Assange’s mental condition is such that it would be oppressive to extradite him to the United States,” he added.
The United States said it would appeal the decision.
CNN’s Vasco Cotovio contributed to this report.
