The High Court of Justice in London granted Wikileaks founder Julian Assange permission to bring a new appeal against extradition to the U.S. after his lawyers argued the case against him in America is politically motivated. The U.S. Justice Department argues that Assange, who has been resisting extradition in the U.K. for over a decade, endangered lives when he leaked confidential information about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011. BBC News has more.
It's time for countries around the world to start standing up to #billionaires. Charge them. Try them in absentia if need be. Use #extradition treaties to hem in their movements. Go after their assets with great vigour.
The only good #billionaire is a dead billionaire. A decent second place is a billionaire that's scared to move.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will not be immediately extradited from the U.K. to the U.S. as decision is delayed.
The Independent reports: "His team claims the 52-year-old could face up to 175 in prison if he is convicted for publishing of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars – arguing his prosecution is 'state retaliation' for his political views."
From The Times. I will believe it when I see it. This has gone on too long. I have no respect for much of Assange's behaviour and subsequent stupidity, but this has clearly been a malicious and dangerous prosecution/rendition with dangerous precedents for journalism and freedom of speech.
UPDATE: from Maja who’s been locked in a Dresden prison for 3mos. Maja was arrested in connection with the German investigations where she fought off neo-nazis at the “Day of Honor” event in Budapest in 2023. we must clearly prevent an extradition to Hungary, an authoritarian state that supports neo-Nazis.
Useful background to Julian Assange's crucial extradition appeal in the UK High Court, which begins today.
Whatever your opinion of Assange, his continued imprisonment and extradition for what many (me included) consider political offences is wrong. If the US is allowed to extradite and try Assange, no publisher or journalist is safe. #Assange#JulianAssange#Extradition#USPol#UKPol
After seven years in self-exile and five years in prison, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is coming closer to being extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States to face spying charges related to his website’s 2010 publication of classified documents. The High Court in the U.K. will hear two days of arguments this week where Assange can ask for his transfer to be blocked. Read more from Politico.
Assange’s Rights and Press Freedom Hang in the Balance
Now don't get me wrong, as an individual I perceive Assange to be an arse - a rapist and someone who would hang his friends out to dry. However this case goes beyond the individual - prosecute him for rape, deride him as an individual, yes. But whn he simply enables the appalling facts to be exposed NO.