Julian Assange Jul 3, 1971: Julian Assange is born in Queensland, Australia 1980s: Gains reputation as computer programmer 2006: Founds internet- based WikiLeaks to publish classified leaks from anonymous sources Apr 5, 2010: WikiLeaks releases leaked U.S. helicopter video (above) of Baghdad airstrike in 2007 that kills 11 civilians, including two Reuters journalists Jul-Nov: WikiLeaks releases some 500,000 secret U.S. files and cables chronicling foreign leaders and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Nov: Swedish court orders Assange’s arrest over rape allegations, which he denies Dec: Assange arrested in UK on European Arrest Warrant, but freed on bail Feb 2011: UK judge rules Assange should be extradited to Sweden Nov 2011-May 2012: Assange loses series of legal appeals Jun 19: Assange seeks political asylum in London’s Ecuadorian embassy Aug 2015: Sweden drops investigations into some sex allegations Jul 2016: Wikileaks publishes more than 19,000 hacked Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails. Leaks reveal acrimonious split between DNC and Hillary Clinton’ s rival, Bernie Sanders. Democrats claim Russia released emails to help Donald Trump (below) Apr 2019: Assange spends seven years in embassy before being jailed in London’s Belmarsh prison (below) for breaching bail conditions. Medical condition starts deteriorating May: U.S. grand jury indicts Assange with 18 counts, 17 based on Espionage Act Nov 19: Sweden drops alleged rape investigation Feb 2020: Assange faces U.S. extradition hearing. If found guilty under Espionage Act Assange faces life in prison Jan 2021: UK judge rules Assange cannot be extradited to U.S. due to fears he may take his own life in prison Oct 21: U.S. begins High Court bid to overturn extradition decision Jun 17, 2022: UK home secretary Priti Patel (below) approves extradition Jun 6, 2023: British High Court rejects latest legal appeal against extradition Aug: U.S. considers plea deal that will allow Assange to return to Australia Nov 8: Bipartisan group of 16 U.S. lawmakers urges President Joe Biden (above) to end extradition of Assange and drop all charges Feb 20-21, 2024: Public hearing at High Court. Two judges will review earlier ruling which refused Assange permission to appeal against extradition ----------------------------- Sources: Associated Press, CNN, DOJ, Reuters, Sky News, Sydney Morning Herald Pictures: Getty Images, social media © GRAPHIC NEWS