According Julian Assange‘s attorney, President Obama‘s commutation of Chelsea Manning‘s 35-year sentence did not meet the specific conditions required by the Wikileaks founder’s pledge to allow himself to be extradited to the U.S in the event Manning was pardoned.
After Obama’s move made headlines this Tuesday, many wondered if Assange would make good on his promise.
“Mr. Assange welcomes the announcement that Ms. Manning’s sentence will be reduced and she will be released in May, but this is well short of what he sought,” Assange’s attorney Barry Pollack said in a statement according to The Hill.
“Mr. Assange had called for Chelsea Manning to receive clemency and be released immediately,” he clarified.
From The Hill:
Assange has not been publicly charged with a crime in the United States, but his legal team believes he may be charged “under seal,” where charges are kept secret to prevent a suspect from preparing an escape.
Assange first made his offer in September and then doubled down last week in a tweet from Wikileaks’ official Twitter account.
“If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case,” the tweet read.
If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case https://t.co/MZU30SlfGK
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 12, 2017
The Obama Administration has reportedly denied that Assange’s offer had anything to do with the President’s decision.
Featured image via YouTube
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