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Supporters of Julian Assange demonstrate outside the gates of London's High Court
Photo: Tayfun Salci / imago images / ZUMA Wire
For the first time in more than half a year, Julian Assange appeared in court at a public hearing in London.
Because a British court had recently failed to comply with the US extradition request, the US prosecutor appealed the verdict.
A decision is now to be made about the scope of this appeal procedure, which has already been approved at least in part.
The US judiciary wants to try Assange in the United States on allegations of espionage.
The whistleblower and WikiLeaks founder face up to 175 years in prison there.
However, a judge in London had rejected the extradition request with regard to his compromised mental health and the expected prison conditions in the USA.
The founder of the platform WikiLeaks was switched on via video switch from the maximum security prison Belmarsh in the south-east of the British capital, where he has been sitting for more than two years.
"Free Julian Assange"
The US attorney questioned an opinion on the mental health of the 50-year-old on the day of the trial.
The assessment that the Australian could take his own life under the conditions of detention in the USA must be reassessed, the lawyer said before the High Court in London on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, dozens of supporters of the Australian gathered in front of the courthouse, demanding his immediate release with chants like "Free Julian Assange".
“It is absolutely clear that the US government should drop the allegations.
The Biden government can not defend the freedom of the press and at the same time continue this case, "said Assange's partner Stella Moris of the British news agency PA.
For years, while fleeing from prosecution by the authorities, Assange had given shelter to Ecuador.
In 2019, Ecuador withdrew Assange from protection and left him to the British authorities.
Assange had previously lived in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
In the meantime he has also lost his Ecuadorian citizenship.
muk / dpa
