Julian Assange makes final shortlist for human rights award

Julian Assange is fighting a lengthy legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been selected as one of three finalists for a prestigious EU human rights award.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Union Parliament to an individual or group who has dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights.