WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition ruling at London court today

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces a hearing on Monday in the High Court in London that could end with him being sent to the US to face espionage charges, or provide him with another chance to appeal his extradition. The outcome will depend on how much weight judges give to assurances US officials have provided that Assange’s rights won’t be trampled if he goes on trial.

In March, two judges rejected the bulk of Assange’s arguments but said he could take his case to the Court of Appeal unless the US guaranteed he would not face the death penalty if extradited and would have the same free speech protections as an American citizen.

The court said that if Assange, who is an Australian citizen, couldn’t rely on the First Amendment, then it was arguable his extradition would be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, which also provides free speech and press protection.