Julian Assange’s extradition to the US is expected to move one step closer today

Julian Assange’s extradition to the United States is expected to move one step closer today.

Estminster Magistrates’ Court is expected to formally issue an extradition order for the WikiLeaks founder after years of legal wrangling.

It will then be up to Home Secretary Priti Patel to approve this, although defenders can still appeal to the High Court.

The administrative hearing is expected to be brief and Assange may not attend in person.

Assange’s supporters said they plan to protest outside.

Assange is wanted in America for an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information after WikiLeaks released hundreds of thousands of leaked documents related to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He has always denied wrongdoing.

Assange, who married his fiancee Stella Moris last month, has been held in Belmarsh prison for three years since he was dragged from the Ecuadorian embassy in London.