Decision on Assange's extradition to the US in March

(Patria) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could find out as early as March about the decision of two judges of the High Court in London regarding his extradition to the US on espionage charges.

After two days of hearings before the High Court, during which Assange's lawyers argued that his extradition to the US would be a "flagrant denial of justice", the judges announced they would take time to consider the verdict, Associated Press reported.

American lawyers said Assange endangered lives and went beyond journalism in his attempt to seek, steal, and indiscriminately publish classified US government documents.

Assange's lawyers asked the High Court to grant him a new appeal against extradition, but a decision is not expected before March.

If judges Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson rule against Assange, he can ask the European Court of Human Rights to block his extradition, RSE reports.

His supporters, on the other hand, fear that he could be extradited to the US before the European Court decides anything, as the British government has already signed the extradition order.

Assange faces 17 charges of espionage and one of computer misuse for publishing a trove of classified US documents almost 15 years ago on his website.