This could have two outcomes: a full appeal hearing to be held
again for Assange or his final option of having to go to the European Court of
Human Rights to appeal the case against him.
But if that last option doesn’t work Assange can be extradited
to the US, something he has been battling against for five years.
He has been in Belmarsh prison in London since his arrest in 2019 at
the request of US authorities.
In a January 2021 ruling, a district judge said that Assange
should not be sent to the US, citing a real and “oppressive” risk of
suicide.
However, the judge ruled against him on all other issues,
including the argument that he was acting as a journalist.
If Assange is refused permission to appeal, his only opportunity
to avoid being sent to the US is to ask the European Court of Human Rights to
stop the flight.
If he wins permission, he will have a full appeal hearing again.