May 19th 2024.
Last week, the Foreign Press Association's director, Deborah Bonetti, welcomed journalists to yet another press briefing on Julian Assange's extradition case with a hint of sarcasm. It was the "millionth" briefing on the matter, a testament to the lengthy and complex legal battle that has spanned over a decade. However, this could all come to a close on Monday in the United Kingdom.
Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is facing a hearing in London's High Court that could result in his extradition to the United States to face charges of espionage. Alternatively, it could also provide him with another opportunity to appeal his extradition. The outcome of this hearing will depend on the weight given to the reassurances provided by US officials that Assange's rights will not be violated if he goes on trial.
So, what exactly is Assange being charged with? The 52-year-old Australian computer expert has been indicted in the US on 18 counts for the publication of classified documents by WikiLeaks in 2010. According to prosecutors, he conspired with US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release confidential diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The charges against him include 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer misuse, which could result in a maximum sentence of 175 years. However, American authorities have stated that the actual sentence is likely to be much lower.
Assange and his supporters argue that he acted as a journalist in exposing US military misconduct and is protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Among the documents published by WikiLeaks was a video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad, which resulted in the death of 11 people, including two Reuters journalists. According to Assange's wife, Stella, he has been indicted for "reporting a crime," which should never be considered a crime itself.
However, US lawyers claim that Assange attempted to hack into the Pentagon computer and that the publication of the confidential documents by WikiLeaks posed a serious and immediate threat to US intelligence sources in Iraq and Afghanistan. This has led to a lengthy legal battle, with Assange taking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012. After being granted political asylum, he was arrested in 2019 when Ecuador withdrew his asylum status. He was then jailed for skipping bail when he first sought refuge in the embassy. Despite the drop of the investigation into the sex crime allegations in Sweden due to the passage of time, Assange has remained in London's high-security Belmarsh Prison while his extradition to the US is being fought.
His wife has expressed concerns about his mental and physical health deteriorating in prison, stating that he is "fighting to survive" on a daily basis. Initially, a judge in London blocked Assange's extradition to the US in 2021, citing the risk of him committing suicide if held in harsh American prison conditions. However, subsequent courts have cleared the way for his extradition after receiving reassurances from US authorities that he will not be subjected to inhumane treatment that could harm his physical and mental well-being. The British government has authorized his extradition in 2022.
The latest hearing, which is set to take place on Monday, will focus on nine grounds for appeal raised by Assange's lawyers. One of the main arguments is that his prosecution is politically motivated. In March, a provisional ruling by the court stated that Assange could appeal to the Court of Appeal unless the US guaranteed that he would not face the death penalty and would receive the same free speech protections as a US citizen. The US provided these reassurances three weeks later, but his supporters remain skeptical, claiming that they are just "weasel words."
The editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, Kristinn Hrafnsson, stated that the judges had asked whether Assange could rely on the First Amendment protections. However, the answer given was not a clear "yes" or "no," leaving supporters concerned about the outcome of the hearing. Hrafnsson believes that if the judges do not reject the reassurances provided by the US, it would be a "judicial scandal."
If the court rules in Assange's favor, it would only prolong the legal battle. However, if his appeal is rejected, his legal team plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. But there are fears that he could be extradited before the court has a chance to intervene. Stella Assange has stated that her husband is "just one decision away" from being extradited and that he has been encouraged by the efforts of those fighting for his freedom.
In a possible turn of events, US President Joe Biden has stated that he is considering a request from Australia to drop the case and allow Assange to return to his home country. While there are no further details on this matter, Stella Assange believes that it is a "good sign," and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that it is encouraging. It remains to be seen what the outcome of Monday's hearing will be, but one thing is for sure: the legal battle surrounding Julian Assange's extradition case is far from over. Stay updated on the latest breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news by following our WhatsApp channel. Your privacy is protected, and no one can see your private details or comments.
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