Julian Assange has won a temporary reprieve in his ongoing extradition battle.

Queenslander Julian Assange, the embattled WikiLeaks founder, has secured a temporary reprieve from extradition to the United States in a ruling delivered by two senior judges in the United Kingdom.

The written judgment handed down last week opens the door for Assange to appeal the extradition decision, if the Biden administration fails to provide “satisfactory assurances” addressing key concerns highlighted by the court.

The heart of the issue revolves around fears for Assange's rights and treatment in the US. Should he be extradited, Assange faces espionage charges linked to WikiLeaks' publication of classified US documents. 

The court's decision grants Assange a lifeline while simultaneously pushing the US to clarify its stance on several critical matters. 

These include assurances that Assange would not be subjected to the death penalty and would be afforded the protections guaranteed under the First Amendment, irrespective of his non-US citizenship.

The development has stirred mixed reactions. 

Assange's legal team and supporters view the court's invitation for US assurances with scepticism, interpreting it as a diplomatic overture rather than a genuine opportunity for legal redress. 

Amid the legal and diplomatic chess game, the broader implications for press freedom and the right to information persist. 

The US has until mid-April to respond.