WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been given permission by the High Court in London to take his challenge against extradition to the US to another hearing.

The court ruled that Assange could pursue his appeal at a full hearing, unless the US provided “satisfactory assurances” on the questions of whether he was able to rely on the First Amendment of the US Constitution and whether he could be subject to the death penalty.

US prosecutors want to put Assange, 52, on trial on criminal charges relating to WikiLeaks’ high-profile release of vast troves of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables.

They argue the leaks imperilled the lives of their agents and there was no excuse for his criminality. Assange’s supporters hail him as a hero of journalism who is being prosecuted for exposing US wrongdoing.

This post was originally published on Michael West.