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Julian Assange’s father added his name to a letter asking New Zealand to offer his son asylum, reports TVNZ.
The call comes after a UK judge rejected a US request for Assange’s extradition to face espionage charges.
Assange founded WikiLeaks, and US prosecutors indicted him on 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer misuse for WikiLeaks’ publication of leaked military and diplomatic documents a decade ago.
The judge ruled that the extradition would be “oppressive” due to Assange’s mental health, and said he was likely to commit suicide if sent to the United States.
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TVNZ reported that it had obtained a letter asking New Zealand to grant asylum to Assange, who is Australian.
It was co-signed by Assange’s father, John Shipton, along with Greg Barns, SC, an advisor to the Australian Assange Campaign, and Craig Tuck, a Tauranga attorney who is part of Assange’s legal team, according to TVNZ.
supplied / Stuff
Julian Assange, 49, is due to return to court this week to request bail.
“Julian and his family have connections to New Zealand and New Zealanders; this country is well positioned to lead the defense and be a leader in what will likely be years of litigation,” the letter reportedly said.
“New Zealand should step up where Australia and the UK have failed. Julian needs asylum in New Zealand and he needs it now. “
After the court hearing, Assange, 49, was taken back to Belmarsh Prison in London. You must return to court on Wednesday (local time) to request bail.
