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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Brett Gibbons

Steve Bannon receives presidential pardon from Donald Trump as Julian Assange misses out

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is absent from the list of pardons which US President Donald Trump issued in his final hours in office.

President Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of 143 people early on Wednesday, just hours before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

Among the well-known names to have received a presidential pardon is Mr Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon, US rapper Lil Wayne and Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy.

Mr Assange’s supporters had hoped Mr Trump would pardon Assange, however his name was not included in the raft of nominations.

His partner Stella Moris previously said: “I urge the (US) Department of Justice to drop the charges and the President of the United States to pardon Julian.”

Earlier this month, Mr Assange won a battle to avoid extradition to the United States from the UK but was denied bail under strict conditions for fear he could abscond and deny prosecutors the chance to appeal.

The 49-year-old is wanted to face an 18-count indictment, alleging a plot to hack computers and a conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information.

The US Government has formally lodged an appeal against the decision to block Mr Assange’s extradition.

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