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The US/UK extradition treaty prohibits handing over individuals in Britain to Washington for political offenses.
It states that "(a)n offense shall be an extraditable offense if the conduct on which the offense is based is punishable under the laws in both States...
"Extradition shall not be granted if the offense for which extradition is requested is a political offense."
Extraditable nonpolitical offenses in the treaty include the following:
"(a) an offense for which both Parties have the obligation pursuant to a multilateral international agreement to extradite the person sought or to submit the case to their competent authorities for decision as to prosecution;
(b) a murder or other violent crime against the person of a Head of State of one of the Parties, or of a member of the Head of State's family;
(c) murder, manslaughter, malicious wounding, or inflicting grievous bodily harm;
(d) an offense involving kidnapping, abduction, or any form of unlawful detention, including the taking of a hostage;
(e) placing or using, or threatening the placement or use of, an explosive, incendiary, or destructive device or firearm capable of endangering life, of causing grievous bodily harm, or of causing substantial property damage;
(f) possession of an explosive, incendiary, or destructive device capable of endangering life, of causing grievous bodily harm, or of causing substantial property damage;
(g) an attempt or a conspiracy to commit, participation in the commission of, aiding or abetting, counseling or procuring the commission of, or being an accessory before or after the fact to any of the foregoing offenses."
(E)xtradition shall not be granted (for) politically motivated reasons (or) for offenses under military law that are not offenses under ordinary criminal law."
None of the above offenses apply to Assange. In UK extradition cases, "the Requesting State (must provide) assurance that the death penalty will not be imposed or, if imposed, will not be carried out."
Until US Justice Department officials present their charges against Assange during his extradition hearing, it remains unclear if they'll exclude politically motivated ones prohibited by the US/UK extradition treaty.
Clearly the case against him is entirely politically charged. No evidence suggests "conspiracy to commit computer intrusion," espionage, or other wrongdoing occurred.
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