FILE PHOTO: A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a sign, on the day the High Court is set to rule on whether Julian Assange can appeal against extradition from Britain to the United States, in London, Britain, March 26, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he was considering an Australian request to drop the prosecution of WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange, who released troves of confidential U.S. classified documents.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in February backed a motion in parliament's lower house calling for the return of Assange, 52, to Australia.
U.S. officials are looking to extradite Assange from Britain to the United States, where he is wanted on criminal charges.
"We are considering it," Biden said to a question from a reporter who asked if he had a response to Australia's request to end Assange's prosecution.
In a post on the X social media network directed at Biden and citing his comment, Assange's wife said: "Do the right thing. Drop the charges."
Assange's extradition was put on hold in March after London's High Court said the United States must provide assurances he would not face the death penalty.
U.S. prosecutors want to try Assange on 18 counts, all bar one under the Espionage Act, over WikiLeaks' release of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables.
After Britain gave the go-ahead for his extradition last year, Assange's lawyers in February launched a final attempt in the English courts to challenge that decision.
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu, writing by Paul Grant; Editing by David Ljunggren)
