On the morning of August 11, 2021, the High Court of the United Kingdom expanded the scope of issues on which the United States could appeal a judge’s decision to block their extradition request for Julian Assange.

The United States has sought the extradition of the Australian journalist for seventeen counts of violating the Espionage Act and one count of “conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.” The Espionage Act charges stem from WikiLeaks’ publishing of State Department Cables, the Iraq Rules of Engagement, and Guantanamo Bay detainee assessment briefs. It marks the first time a publisher of truthful information has been indicted under the Espionage Act.

The case is made all the more troubling by the fact that Assange is an Australian national who operates outside the United States. The United States is not only asserting it can prosecute journalists for exposing its war crimes, but that it can prosecute any journalist anywhere in the world for doing so.