Australian lawmakers to urge release of Julian Assange during US visit

FILE PHOTO: Julian Assange's supporters demonstrate at Hyde Park, Sydney, Australia May 24, 2023. REUTERS/Lewis Jackson/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A cross-party delegation of Australian lawmakers will travel to the United States this month seeking the release of WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange, his support group said on Tuesday, ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in October.

The group will urge U.S. officials to drop their attempts to extradite Assange from a British prison to the United States, where he is wanted on charges over WikiLeaks' release of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables.