Assange legal team sees 'no resolution' to US spying charges despite talk of plea deal

Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said there was no indication of a resolution to US charges against him, despite reports that Washington was considering the offer of a plea deal to end a lengthy legal battle over his extradition from the UK.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Justice Department may offer to downgrade the espionage charges against Mr Assange to a misdemeanour offence of mishandling classified information. A Justice Department representative declined to comment on the report.

The US wants to put Mr Assange on trial over the publication of thousands of classified documents 14 years ago. The documents included diplomatic cables and information about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“It is inappropriate for Mr Assange’s lawyers to comment while his case is before the UK High Court, other than to say we have been given no indication that the Department of Justice intends to resolve the case and the United States is continuing with as much determination as ever to seek his extradition on all 18 charges, exposing him to 175 years in prison,” said Barry Pollack, who is representing Mr Assange.

Julian Assange through the years – in pictures

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after he was arrested in London in April 2019. Reuters

Mr Assange on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, in May 2017. Reuters

The WikiLeaks founder shakes hands with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino after a press conference, at which he confirmed he “will be leaving the embassy soon”, in August 2014. Getty Images

Mr Assange prepares to speak from the balcony of Ecuador’s embassy in August 2012. Reuters

He covers his eyes during a news conference in central London, in December 2011. AP Photo

Mr Assange arrives at the High Court in London in December 2011. Getty Images

Protesters cheer as Mr Assange, centre, speaks outside St Paul’s Cathedral during the ‘Occupy London’ protest in October 2011. Getty Images

Wearing an ankle tag, Mr Assange at the house where he was required to stay in Suffolk, England, in June 2011. AP Photo

Mr Assange arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in a prison van with red windows in December 2010. Getty Images

He holds up a copy of ‘The Guardian’ newspaper in London in July 2010, after WikiLeaks published 90,000 secret US military records. Getty Images

The Australian is photographed for a portrait in May 2010 in Melbourne. Getty Images

A young Julian Assange leaves a Melbourne court after facing charges of computer hacking in May 1995. Getty Images

In recent months, Justice Department officials and Mr Assange’s legal team have had preliminary meetings about a plea deal, but the discussions “remain in flux and the talks could fizzle”, the WSJ reported.

Mr Assange is battling extradition from Britain to the US. Washington says the release of the documents put lives in danger.

Mr Assange’s supporters say he has been victimised because he exposed US wrongdoing, including in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. If extradited and convicted of espionage, he faces a sentence of up to 175 years in a maximum security prison.

Rights groups, media organisations and the leaders of countries including Mexico, Brazil and Australia have called for the charges against Mr Assange, who is an Australian citizen, to be dropped. He mounted a challenge for a new appeal against his extradition, his last available legal move in Britain.