Assange lawyer: Manning commutation doesn’t meet extradition offer’s conditions

In a move that comes as no surprise, Julian Assange’s lawyer said that the commutation of the sentence of Chelsea Manning is not enough for his client and what he wanted in order to come to the United States and stand at trial was a pardon for Manning.  Vasilis Chronopoulos  

The attorney for Julian Assange said President Obama’s commutation of Chelsea Manning’s sentence does not meet the conditions of the WikiLeaks head’s offer to be extradited to the United States if Manning were pardoned.

Obama on Tuesday commuted Manning’s sentence for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks, leading many to wonder whether that meant Assange was ready to surrender to the Department of Justice.

“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,” said Barry Pollack, Assange’s U.S.-based attorney, via email.

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