WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Retracts Extradition Pledge to US, Manning Commutation Doesn't Meet Conditions

Lawyers of Julian Assange argued he may retreat from a pledge to face extradition to the US. The WikiLeaks founder announced on Twitter, last week, that he will renounce his self-imposed exile in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London should President Obama release Chelsea Manning who was imprisoned for 35 years for leaking documents relating to the Iraq War.

On Tuesday, President Obama overruled his secretary of defense to commute the sentence of the former Army soldier which led many to wonder whether that meant Assange was ready to surrender to the Department of Justice. Barry Pollack, who represents the WikiLeaks founder in the US, revealed that Assange sought for Manning's clemency and immediate release, which is short of what President Obama determined. No evidence was supplied to prove that Assange used the words "pardon" or "immediate" in relation to his extradition offer. However, Pollack said that Assange's message was clear throughout as he had previously pushed for Manning's pardon, the Associated Press reports.

The 45-year-old Australian computer programmer, who is the subject of an espionage investigation in America, has not been charged with any crime in the US but his legal team believes that it is probable he could have been charged "under seal", which means it has been kept secret from him. Another legal source close to Assange disclosed that he does not fully trust the CIA and FBI so in no way would he voluntarily go to the US or put himself in a position where there is great risk.

This is not the first time that Assange's declaration in relation to Manning haven't worked out as pronounced. Back in December 2010, it was reported that WikiLeaks failed to honor their pledge to help support Manning's legal defense fund. Thereafter, when the story was aired in the media, WikiLeaks then paid up but reduced its expected contribution from $50,000 to $20,000 and finally to $15,100