LONDON, March 21. /TASS/. A Washington-based lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Barry Pollack, has cast doubt on The Wall Street Journal’s recent report that US prosecutors were allegedly ready to offer a plea deal to his client.

"We have been given no indication that the Department of Justice intends to resolve the case and the United States is continuing with as much determination as ever to seek his extradition on all 18 charges, exposing him to 175 years in prison," he said in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing its sources, that the Department of Justice was considering providing Assange with an option to plead guilty of improper handling of classified information under a softer charge. At the same time, the newspaper noted that the negotiations were suspended at this point, and may stop completely.

In the US, Assange is being accused of crimes, connected with the largest case of classified data leak in the American history. All charges combined carry up to 175 years of imprisonment. In February, the High Court of London held a two-day hearing reviewing Assange’s appeal against extradition to the US. This hearing may become the last to be held in the UK for the 52-year-old Australian. The High Court of London is expected to announce its verdict before the end of March. Julian’s spouse Stella Assange said that she will be notified two days ahead before the announcement of the verdict.