Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is receiving loads of support from some crypto holders as speculation rises about a possible presidential pardon from current president Donald Trump. According to Twitter user Whale Alert, users have donated a large amount of BTC towards Assange’s legal defense. According to Whale Alert, someone sent 8.48 BTC- $280,000 to support the WikiLeaks founder while someone else donated 4.51 BTC last Wednesday, a transaction worth $125,000.
On Monday district judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that the WikiLeaks founder will not be extradited to the United States. Assange is currently in a U.K prison and is expected to face charges of violating the 1917 espionage Act related to the documents provided by Chelsea Manning if extradited to the United States. Judge Baraitser in her ruling seemed to agree that the WikiLeaks founder has experienced “ a deterioration in his mental health” due to impending charges. Lawyers claim that any extradition to the U.S would put him at a “high risk of serious depression leading to suicide.”
Unconfirmed rumors claim that President Trump could pardon Assange before he leaves office later this month. Assange is also getting support from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who referred to him as a journalist in need of protection.
“I’m going to ask the Foreign Minister to ask the government of the United Kingdom about the possibility of letting Mr. Assange be freed and for Mexico to offer political asylum,”
On Sunday, Blockstream CEO Adam Back also chimed in stating that Julian Assange should be released given his role as a journalist. Silk Road founder Ross Ulbright and whistleblower Edward Snowden also behind possible Assange pardon on grounds that he is a journalist who deserves his freedom. Important developments could occur within the next week on this story as Assange gets more and more support.
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