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Julian Assange case: why British justice refuses extradition to the United States

2021-01-04T17:38:11.699Z


British justice decided on Monday not to hand over the founder of WikiLeaks to the American authorities, who want to try him for th


The Old Bailey Criminal Court in London was almost empty on Monday, January 4 in the morning for the announcement of the decision on the extradition request of Julian Assange made by the United States, which wants to try him under their laws anti-espionage.

The US government accuses the WikiLeaks co-founder of conspiring with military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning and exposing military secrets between January and May 2010. When he took the stand, protected by a wooden structure and of Plexiglass, the 49-year-old journalist was able to exchange only a brief glance with his partner, Stella Moris, and WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, masked that they were all because of the Covid-19.

Entering the court without protection, Judge Vanessa Baraitser returned only to certain details of her decision.

In a monotonous tone, she rejected several of the points put forward by the Australian journalist's defense, such as the fact that his nationality should not deprive him of the protection provided by the American justice in the event of trials relating to the freedom of the press. .

The judge stressed that her colleagues across the Atlantic would thus be able to treat the case with the necessary impartiality, a statement that caused a shrug of the shoulders from the editor of WikiLeaks.

As the judge's explanation continued in favor of US prosecutors 'charges, Stella Moris' eyes clouded over.

Julian Assange, his green mask under his nose, continued to stare at the judge intently.

A "very high" risk of suicide

But surprise prevailed when Vanessa Baraitser broached the issue of the journalist's mental health.

"He remained severely or moderately depressed in Belmarsh prison where he ran the risk of self-harm or suicide," she said.

Julian Assange has been held in this South East London prison since April 2019 for having fled British justice by taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012. He has been kept in solitary for several weeks and his mental health has aroused the concern of his relatives on several occasions.

For this reason, the judge felt that it might be too risky for him to find himself in the American prison system, which justifies his refusal of extradition.

"Even though there are suicide prevention systems in American prisons, these methods sometimes fail and the risk that Mr. Assange commits suicide would be very high," she said.

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At the announcement of this decision, the relief was tangible under the masks of Stella Moris and Kristinn Hrafnsson, who took the latter in her arms.

In the street, the journalist's supporters also expressed their joy.

"I am completely upset, really, I have no words to express my joy," stammers Laura Hard, a sexagenarian on the verge of tears.

"I'll believe it when I see it and when Julian Assange is safe," nuance a young fan dressed in black and who wants to be called Cleany King.

"A very worrying situation for journalists"

For media advocates who see Julian Assange as a free speech hero, the extradition refusal is a relief, but it misses its mark.

"It is still a very worrying situation for journalists and for press freedom, both in the United Kingdom, the United States and the rest of the world," explains Rebecca Vincent, campaign manager for Reporters Without Borders.

In essence, the ruling was really about whether the judge agreed with the prosecutors' charge.

We are concerned that this will leave the door open to future lawsuits against journalists or publishers over similar charges.

I would have liked to see a stronger positioning of this court on these questions.

"

US prosecutors have decided to appeal this judgment.

Julian Assange's defense is expected to seek his release on bail as early as Wednesday.

Source: leparis

All tech articles on 2021-01-04

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