Mexico offers asylum to WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange after US extradition bid thwarted

Celebrating a decision by a British judge to deny a request to extradite Assange to the US, Mexico’s president said he would offer protection

US authorities accuse Assange of offences relating to the release by WikiLeaks of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables

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Demonstrators hold a banner displaying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during a protest outside the British embassy in Mexico City on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Reutersin Mexico City

Published: 3:25pm, 5 Jan 2021Updated: 3:25pm, 5 Jan 2021

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has offered political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a move that could anger the United States, which is seeking his extradition.

Celebrating a decision by a British judge on Monday to deny a request to extradite Assange to the US, Lopez Obrador said he wanted his foreign minister to ask Britain if it could release Assange so Mexico could offer him asylum.

“Assange is a journalist and deserves a chance,” he said. “We’ll give him protection.”

US authorities accuse Assange of offences during the administration of former President Barack Obama relating to the release by WikiLeaks of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables which they say put lives at risk.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pictured at a news conference on Monday. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Although the Obama administration opted not to prosecute Assange, Lopez Obrador’s offer drew criticism as an undiplomatic gesture given that Obama’s former vice-president Joe Biden is about to assume the US presidency.

“Lopez Obrador seems to be making an effort to damage US relations just as Joe Biden prepares to take office,” said Mark Feierstein, a former Obama administration official.