WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a step closer to extradition to the US after America last night provided the UK High Court with assurances he wouldn’t face the death penalty if convicted and that he’d be treated fairly. Assange’s family is “extremely distressed” by the move after their hopes were raised by President Joe Biden last week saying America was “considering” Australia’s request for him to be allowed to return home. His wife Stella says America’s assurances to the UK High Court were “weasel words” that did “nothing to relieve our family’s extreme distress about his future”. The 52yo Assange has been charged by the US with 18 counts of espionage for allegedly publishing classified information on his WikiLeaks website. The case is back in court on 20 May for more arguments – a decision on whether Assange can appeal the UK’s decision to extradite him to the US will be delivered after that.