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The extradition of WikiLeaks founder Assange to the United States is being negotiated in London. His supporters and fiancee await the government and justice, but they have to face setbacks.
By Christoph Heinzle, ARD Studio London
That morning, Reporters Without Borders brought 80,000 signatures to Downing Street for the release of Julian Assange. Assange’s partner, Stella Moris, was there. “I fight for her life,” she says. “It will not survive extradition.”
It has become increasingly difficult, “now it is catastrophic,” says Moris, with whom Assange has two children. His appeal to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in light of the detainee’s poor health: “Save Julian’s life.”
Supporters suspect political motivation
In front of the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of the City of London, then another sound. But the background noise is deceptive: There are only a few dozen Assange supporters playing loud and demanding his release.
Michael de Belmarsh, where Assange has been in a maximum security prison for over a year, speaks of a politically motivated extradition. “Political prisoners cannot be extradited, so why is Assange sitting here in prison?” He asks.
The court rejects the postponement
That should be cleared up in the courtroom. Assange had to sit behind a pane of glass. Despite a new haircut, tie and navy blue suit, the rigors of detention and isolation were evident.
Topic of the day: Can the new US accusations against Assange be the subject of the proceedings? Yes, the judge decides. No, the defense insists.
“The new allegations were filed just a few weeks ago,” WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said outside of court during a recess. “Smuggled, as Julian’s lawyers say. You couldn’t prepare for that. It’s outrageous to be taken into account at trial. But that’s what we’re dealing with here. There’s no justice at all.”
The lawyers request that the process be postponed until January. The court refuses. The defense could have thought of that before the start of the morning, hence their reasoning.
Three weeks of negotiation
Heike Hänsel, member of the Bundestag for the Left Party, observed the audience at the venue and criticized the ARD–Interview the judicial power. It’s “very chaotic,” he says. “We have an extension of the prosecution also from the US side. But we have less access to Julian Assange from lawyers than before the pandemic.” The situation for Assange and the lawyers has gotten dramatically worse.
Under special corona conditions, discussions will now continue for at least three weeks on whether Britain can and should extradite the WikiLeaks founder. The London court will not determine whether he is guilty. It is about whether an extradition complies with the agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom. If Assange awaits a fair trial in the US, it will play a role, but so will his health.
“Precedent of freedom of the press”
For Christian Mihr of “Reporters Without Borders” it is about more than the fate of the 49-year-old Australian.
“If Julian Assange is extradited from Britain to the United States, that will set a precedent for freedom of the press. And that means that whistleblowers can no longer be sure. And that is why this case is very important to Reporters Without Borders.”
If the court approves the extradition, the British government would still have to agree. And everyone involved has a path to higher levels. The final decision could take years.
