On October 27-28, the High Court of London considered the appeals by the US Department of Justice in the matter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange extradition from the UK. The sittings were chaired by Lord Chief Justice Ian Burnett and Lord Justice Timothy Holroyde. Assange himself, 50, took part in the court session via video link from Her Majesty's Prison Belmarsh, where he has been held since April 2019 after the Ecuadorian Embassy in London denied him shelter he enjoyed for seven years.
Just a reminder: on January 4 this year, the Westminster Magistrate's Court in London held that WikiLeaks founder extradition to the United States would be illegal, since Assange, suffering from autism and clinical depression, is about to commit suicide if transferred to an American prison. Back then, conclusions by Judge Vanessa Baraitser were brought about by assessments of counselors and experts. Yes, January saw the London court refuse to extradite Assange, but this does not mean that British justice stands up for the journalists' right to freedom of speech. London suddenly became concerned about Assange's mental health, as he may not withstand incarceration conditions in an overseas prison.
The United States, however, confirmed its guarantees to provide Assange with any medical and psychological assistance in case of extradition, not to send him to a maximum security prison or apply any special administrative measures unless he commits some other offenses. Moreover, the US government assures that onсe the verdict is rendered, Assange will be able to request a transfer to Australia and serve his time there. The transfer procedure will be up to the Australian authorities. So far, official Canberra has been silent on the matter.
At the same time, earlier, having studied materials collected by the prosecuting attorney, Vanessa Baraitser recognized the charges brought against the Australian in the United States as legitimate and justified. The Washington authorities are challenging Judge Baraitser's decision and still insist on Assange's extradition. In America, the journalist is charged with crimes related to the disclosure of classified information, the largest one in American history. For the totality of charges brought, the WikiLeaks founder faces up to 175 years in prison – a term no regular human being is ready to endure.
In this regard, small wonder that hundreds of Assange supporters gathered outside the High Court building on Strand Street before the sittings, demanding an immediate release of the journalist. Many of them had posters urging the US authorities to drop all the charges. Besides, the protesters unwrapped banners at the court entrance saying things like: "Journalism is not a crime," "No extradition to Julian Assange," and "RIP British justice: 1215-2021."
The first day of hearings saw lawyers representing interests of the United States say that suicide probability could afford refusal to extradite Assange. The American side claims that the Australian does not fall into the mentally ill category unable to oppose suicide urge, and called the defense party's assumption an utter speculation. The US is sure Assange's psychological status cannot prevent his extradition from the UK.
Commenting on these Assange case statements, director of the international non-profit Reporters Without Borders organization Rebecca Vincent told reporters: "American lawyers play with his life on behalf of the government. This is one of the reasons why he should not be extradited to America, but our concerns do certainly persist. We believe he was targeted because of his contribution to journalism, but no one should be accused of such crimes for revealing information." In turn, Assange's partner Stella Morris said on the second day that the defense was going to refute all the misleading statements, while the US conspiracy to kill Julian would evoke aversion with the court.
Indeed, the second day of hearings featured speeches by Julian Assange's lawyers. The journalist himself did not join them via video link over his poor health. Assange's defense said he might commit suicide once extradited to the United States, so he shouldn't be. Apart from that, the Australian's lawyer Edward Fitzgerald drew attention to the fact that, being sent to another country, the WikiLeaks founder would lose contact with his family and hence moral support. Another lawyer for Assange, Mark Summers, pointed to the insufficiency of US guarantees that no special administrative measures would be applied to the WikiLeaks founder to restrict visits to him in a penitentiary institution or communication with other prisoners in case of extradition, and that he would be provided with clinical and psychological assistance.
In September this year, the Yahoo News portal reported that back in 2017, a number of US administration representatives and senior CIA officials discussed the possibility of kidnapping and even killing Assange. Such plans were allegedly part of an anti-WikiLeaks campaign. The CIA also intended to expand surveillance of the organization, sow discord among its members and steal their electronic devices.
As for the court hearings' outcome, Lord Chief Justice Ian Burnett and Lord Justice Tim Holroyd did not announce the date for the decision to be delivered. Earlier, WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson suggested this could happen in mid-December.
So for the time being, Julian Assange remains in Her Majesty's Prison Belmarsh, with his fate absolutely unclear...
