The United States sought to assure a British court Wednesday that it would not hold Julian Assange at a supermax prison, seeking to overturn a block on his extradition in order to put him on trial for espionage.

The WikiLeaks founder risks up to 175 years in jail if he is sent to the US and convicted. But a British judge blocked his extradition on the grounds that he was at serious risk of suicide and that his mental health would probably deteriorate in the US penal system.

At the start of a two-day appeal hearing in London, the US government asked Britain's High Court to overturn the ruling from January, arguing the judge had been "wrong to come to the conclusion she did".

The initial judgment was partly based on concerns Assange was likely to be held in isolation in the US's only federal so-called supermax prison, the ADX Florence jail in Colorado.

James Lewis, lawyer for the US government, told the court that Washington had since provided written assurances that Assange would not be held at the notorious prison, either pre-trial or afterwards.

Assange "will receive any such clinical and psychological treatment as is recommended" and that he will eventually be eligible to apply for a prisoner transfer to his native Australia, Lewis added.

"There has never been a previous breach of an assurance," he argued.

Assange's team hit back that the assurances do not rule out altogether the chance of him being detained at the facility, at a "comparable" federal prison or at a state-level supermax jail.

The new US pledges provided "no reliable basis" for changing the lower court judge's decision, they said in legal filings.

The two senior judges hearing the appeal at the High Court will deliver their own ruling at a later date, but the legal fight is likely to drag on for months if not years.

'End this nightmare'

Outside the court in central London, Assange's partner Stella Moris -- with whom he has two children -- joined two dozen protesters demanding his immediate release from London's high-security Belmarsh jail.&nbsp;

"I'm very concerned for Julian's health," Moris told reporters.&nbsp;

"He is very thin. And I hope that the courts will end this nightmare," she said, having visited Assange in prison on Saturday.

One demonstrator wearing a funereal veil held a banner reading "RIP British Justice". Another, 20-year-old Ruby Allen, said Assange was an innocent defender of "press freedom".&nbsp;

"Extradition is a death sentence basically," she said.

The US government wants Assange, 50, to face 18 charges relating to WikiLeaks' 2010 release by of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He has been indicted for violating the US espionage act and for hacking, based on the alleged aid he gave former military intelligence officer Chelsea Manning in obtaining the documents from secure computer systems.

The US government has said that the British judge who ruled in January, Vanessa Baraitser, "didn't appreciate the weight" of expert evidence that said Assange was not at risk of suicide.

Baraitser rejected US experts' testimony that Assange would be protected from self-harm, noting that others such as disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein had killed themselves in custody.

'Trump card'

On Wednesday, Lewis noted Assange had "no history of serious and enduring mental illness" and cautioned against a "crystal ball" approach to what could happen if he was extradited.

He said the earlier ruling focused on the intellectual ability of an individual such as Assange to "get around suicide prevention measures".

"That then becomes a trump card that cannot be dealt with by the requesting state," the lawyer added.

Assange was arrested in Britain in 2019 for jumping bail after spending seven years inside the Ecuadorian embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faced allegations of sexual assault. These were later dropped.

Whatever the High Court decides, further legal wrangling looms.

If the US appeal is successful, the case will be sent back to a lower court for a new decision.&nbsp;

Whoever loses can also ask for permission for a further, final appeal to the UK's Supreme Court.

Assange sought, but failed, to obtain a pardon from Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, whose 2016 election campaign benefited from WikiLeaks' release of materials that damaged his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

The United States sought to assure a British court Wednesday that it would not hold Julian Assange at a supermax prison, seeking to overturn a block on his extradition in order to put him on trial for espionage.

The United States sought to assure a British court Wednesday that it would not hold Julian Assange at a supermax prison, seeking to overturn a block on his extradition in order to put him on trial for espionage. The WikiLeaks founder risks up to 175 years in jail if he is sent to the US and convicted. But a British judge blocked his extradition on the grounds that he was at serious risk of suicide and that his mental health would probably deteriorate in the US penal system. At the start of a two-day appeal hearing in London, the US government asked Britain's High Court to overturn the ruling from January, arguing the judge had been "wrong to come to the conclusion she did". The initial judgment was partly based on concerns Assange was likely to be held in isolation in the US's only federal so-called supermax prison, the ADX Florence jail in Colorado. James Lewis, lawyer for the US government, told the court that Washington had since provided written assurances that Assange would not be held at the notorious prison, either pre-trial or afterwards. Assange "will receive any such clinical and psychological treatment as is recommended" and that he will eventually be eligible to apply for a prisoner transfer to his native Australia, Lewis added. "There has never been a previous breach of an assurance," he argued. Assange's team hit back that the assurances do not rule out altogether the chance of him being detained at the facility, at a "comparable" federal prison or at a state-level supermax jail. The new US pledges provided "no reliable basis" for changing the lower court judge's decision, they said in legal filings. The two senior judges hearing the appeal at the High Court will deliver their own ruling at a later date, but the legal fight is likely to drag on for months if not years. 'End this nightmare' Outside the court in central London, Assange's partner Stella Moris -- with whom he has two children -- joined two dozen protesters demanding his immediate release from London's high-security Belmarsh jail. "I'm very concerned for Julian's health," Moris told reporters. "He is very thin. And I hope that the courts will end this nightmare," she said, having visited Assange in prison on Saturday. One demonstrator wearing a funereal veil held a banner reading "RIP British Justice". Another, 20-year-old Ruby Allen, said Assange was an innocent defender of "press freedom". "Extradition is a death sentence basically," she said. The US government wants Assange, 50, to face 18 charges relating to WikiLeaks' 2010 release by of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has been indicted for violating the US espionage act and for hacking, based on the alleged aid he gave former military intelligence officer Chelsea Manning in obtaining the documents from secure computer systems. The US government has said that the British judge who ruled in January, Vanessa Baraitser, "didn't appreciate the weight" of expert evidence that said Assange was not at risk of suicide. Baraitser rejected US experts' testimony that Assange would be protected from self-harm, noting that others such as disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein had killed themselves in custody. 'Trump card' On Wednesday, Lewis noted Assange had "no history of serious and enduring mental illness" and cautioned against a "crystal ball" approach to what could happen if he was extradited. He said the earlier ruling focused on the intellectual ability of an individual such as Assange to "get around suicide prevention measures". "That then becomes a trump card that cannot be dealt with by the requesting state," the lawyer added. Assange was arrested in Britain in 2019 for jumping bail after spending seven years inside the Ecuadorian embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faced allegations of sexual assault. These were later dropped. Whatever the High Court decides, further legal wrangling looms. If the US appeal is successful, the case will be sent back to a lower court for a new decision. Whoever loses can also ask for permission for a further, final appeal to the UK's Supreme Court. Assange sought, but failed, to obtain a pardon from Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, whose 2016 election campaign benefited from WikiLeaks' release of materials that damaged his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Protesters outside UK court demand Assange's immediate release

Lawyers from the United States have appealed in UK's high court&nbsp;to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange over spying and other criminal charges.

A London court had earlier declared that Assange could be a suicide threat if he is extradited to the US due to his mental health condition.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-report-claims-cia-planned-gun-battle-abduction-to-snatch-assange-416285">Also Read:&nbsp;New report claims CIA planned gun battle &amp; abduction to snatch Assange</a>

The US has reportedly assured the court&nbsp;with a "package of assurances" asserting that Assange,50, will not be held in the high-security supermax prison in Colorado.&nbsp;

The US&nbsp;government lawyers asked the UK high court to overturn the decision not to extradite the Wikileaks founder while assuring that Assange would receive "clinical and psychological treatment" and would be allowed to apply for prisoner transfer to his home country Australia.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-revokes-citizenship-of-julian-assange-401090">Also Read |&nbsp;Ecuador revokes citizenship of Julian Assange</a>

However, Assange's lawyers have said he could be held in another high-security prison and also that Australia had given no assurances that it would be ready to take him in.&nbsp;

As US lawyers put forward their argument in court, protesters reportedly filed outside in support of Assange.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Key witness admits to lying in testimony to help FBI

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/julian-assange-case-key-witness-admits-to-lying-in-testimony-to-help-fbi-394394/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The controversial Australian is wanted in the United States on 18 criminal charges for releasing thousands of secret files relating to US military campaign in Afghanistan and Iraq.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/assanges-fiancee-urges-biden-to-free-wikileaks-founder-to-show-us-has-changed-393879">Also Read:&nbsp;Assange's fiancée urges Biden to free WikiLeaks founder</a>&nbsp;

Assange is currently held in UK's Belmarsh prison. He had taken refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London for seven years but was arrested by British authorities in 2019 for breaching bail conditions.

Also Read:&nbsp;Assange's fiancée urges Biden to free WikiLeaks founder to show US has changed

Sweden had earlier demanded his extradition over sex crime allegation, however, it was dropped later but the US continued to demand his extradition.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Lawyers from the United States have appealed in UK's high court to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange over spying and other criminal charges. A London court had earlier declared that Assange could be a suicide threat if he is extradited to the US due to his mental health condition.

Lawyers from the United States have appealed in UK's high court to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange over spying and other criminal charges. A London court had earlier declared that Assange could be a suicide threat if he is extradited to the US due to his mental health condition. Also Read: New report claims CIA planned gun battle & abduction to snatch Assange The US has reportedly assured the court with a "package of assurances" asserting that Assange,50, will not be held in the high-security supermax prison in Colorado. The US government lawyers asked the UK high court to overturn the decision not to extradite the Wikileaks founder while assuring that Assange would receive "clinical and psychological treatment" and would be allowed to apply for prisoner transfer to his home country Australia. Also Read | Ecuador revokes citizenship of Julian Assange However, Assange's lawyers have said he could be held in another high-security prison and also that Australia had given no assurances that it would be ready to take him in. As US lawyers put forward their argument in court, protesters reportedly filed outside in support of Assange. Watch: Key witness admits to lying in testimony to help FBI The controversial Australian is wanted in the United States on 18 criminal charges for releasing thousands of secret files relating to US military campaign in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also Read: Assange's fiancée urges Biden to free WikiLeaks founder Assange is currently held in UK's Belmarsh prison. He had taken refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London for seven years but was arrested by British authorities in 2019 for breaching bail conditions. Also Read: Assange's fiancée urges Biden to free WikiLeaks founder to show US has changed Sweden had earlier demanded his extradition over sex crime allegation, however, it was dropped later but the US continued to demand his extradition. (With inputs from Agencies)

US appeals in UK court to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

Ecuador has revoked the citizenship of Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks. Assange is currently in a British prison. The country's justice system has formally notified Assange of the nullity of his naturalisation in a letter.&nbsp;

The letter came in response to a claim filed by Ecuador's foreign ministry.

A naturalisation can be revoked if it is granted when facts have been hidden, false documents have been used or a fraud has been committed.

Ecuadorian authorities said that Assange's naturalisation letter has several inconsistencies, different signatures, the possible alteration of documents and unpaid fees, among other issues.

Carlos Poveda, Assange's lawyer, told The Associated Press the decision was made without due process and Assange was not allowed to appear in the case.

"On the date (Assange) was cited he was deprived of his liberty and with a health crisis inside the deprivation of liberty center where he was being held," Poveda said.

He said he will file appeals asking for amplification and clarification of the decision.

"More than the importance of nationality, it is a matter of respecting rights and following due process in withdrawing nationality." he was quoted as saying by AP.

In January 2018, Assange was given Ecuadorian citizenship that was part of a failed attempt by former Ecuador President Moreno to turn him into a diplomat in order to get him out of its embassy in London.

Assange was arrested by the British authorities in April 2019. Before that Assange spent seven years inside Ecuador's London embassy before that. He had walked into the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault.

He has been indicted by US prosecutors for espionage.

Ecuador has revoked the citizenship of Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks. Assange is currently in a British prison. The country's justice system has formally notified Assange of the nullity of his naturalisation in a letter.

Ecuador has revoked the citizenship of Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks. Assange is currently in a British prison. The country's justice system has formally notified Assange of the nullity of his naturalisation in a letter. The letter came in response to a claim filed by Ecuador's foreign ministry. A naturalisation can be revoked if it is granted when facts have been hidden, false documents have been used or a fraud has been committed. Ecuadorian authorities said that Assange's naturalisation letter has several inconsistencies, different signatures, the possible alteration of documents and unpaid fees, among other issues. Carlos Poveda, Assange's lawyer, told The Associated Press the decision was made without due process and Assange was not allowed to appear in the case. "On the date (Assange) was cited he was deprived of his liberty and with a health crisis inside the deprivation of liberty center where he was being held," Poveda said. He said he will file appeals asking for amplification and clarification of the decision. "More than the importance of nationality, it is a matter of respecting rights and following due process in withdrawing nationality." he was quoted as saying by AP. In January 2018, Assange was given Ecuadorian citizenship that was part of a failed attempt by former Ecuador President Moreno to turn him into a diplomat in order to get him out of its embassy in London. Assange was arrested by the British authorities in April 2019. Before that Assange spent seven years inside Ecuador's London embassy before that. He had walked into the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. He has been indicted by US prosecutors for espionage.

Ecuador revokes citizenship of Julian Assange

A key witness whose testimony was used in the indictment of Julian Assange has admitted to lying. Sigurdur Ingi Thordarson was recruited by US authorities to build a case against Assange after misleading them to believe he was previously a close associate of his.

Julian Assange Case: Key witness admits to lying in testimony to help FBI

President Joe Biden must let Julian Assange go free if he wants the United States to become a beacon for a free press once again and put the legacy of Donald Trump behind it, the fiancée of the WikiLeaks founder told Reuters. 
 
Washington has sought the extradition of Assange over his role in one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information, accusing him of putting lives in danger by releasing vast troves of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables. 
 
He has now spent nine years in jail or self-incarceration in Britain, and both Assange`s fiancée Stella Moris and the British judge overseeing the extradition request have warned he may not survive a process to send him across the Atlantic. 
 
"If Biden really wants to break with the Trump legacy, then he has to drop the case," Moris told Reuters in an interview. "They can`t maintain this prosecution against Julian while saying that they defend a global press freedom." 
 
When Barack Obama served as president and Biden was his vice president, the U.S. decided not to seek Assange’s extradition on the grounds that what WikiLeaks did was similar to journalistic activities protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. 
 
Weeks after taking office Trump administration officials stepped up public criticism of Assange and later filed a series of criminal charges accusing him of participating in a hacking conspiracy. 
 
The U.S. Justice Department said in February it planned to continue to seek the extradition for Assange to face hacking conspiracy charges. 
 
Moris said the couple were planning to marry soon at the top-security Belmarsh prison where he is being held. 
 
U.S. prosecutors and Western security officials regard Assange as a reckless enemy of the state whose actions threatened the lives of agents named in the leaked material. 
 
Supporters pit him as an anti-establishment hero who exposed U.S. wrongdoing in Afghanistan and Iraq and say his prosecution is a politically motivated assault on journalism that gives a free pass to oppressive regimes around the world. 
 
WikiLeaks came to prominence when it published a U.S. military video in 2010 showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. 
 
An effort to extradite him was launched in 2019 after he was detained in London after taking refuge in Ecuador`s embassy in the British capital for seven years to avoid being extradited to Sweden. 
 
British judge Vanessa Baraitser said in January that although she accepted the U.S. legal arguments in the case, she said Assange`s mental health issues meant he would be at risk of suicide if extradited, leading to her rejecting the request. 
 
Morris, who has two young boys with the Australian-born Assange, said the 49-year-old was very low but still fighting. She likened his treatment as akin to the way some journalists are treated in China and Saudi Arabia. 
 
"I think there`s no doubt that Julian wouldn`t survive an extradition," she said. 
 
She argued that any robust democracy had to accommodate internal dissent. "A superpower that has a free press is very different in nature from one that does not." 
 
She said she is hopeful that the case will be viewed differently under a Biden administration, but refused to say if his legal team had held talks with U.S. officials. 
 
Despite that hope, she said the couple were planning to marry soon inside Belmarsh, once the paperwork is done, rather than wait to hear his fate. 
 
She said Assange had been given a huge lift recently when she was allowed to take their two sons to visit, allowing him to touch his children for the first time in over a year. 
 
"He was happy to see us, but he`s struggling," she said. "He`s very low but he`s fighting. He has the hope that this will end soon."

President Joe Biden must let Julian Assange go free if he wants the United States to become a beacon for a free press once again and put the legacy of Donald Trump behind it, the fiancée of the WikiLeaks founder told Reuters.

President Joe Biden must let Julian Assange go free if he wants the United States to become a beacon for a free press once again and put the legacy of Donald Trump behind it, the fiancée of the WikiLeaks founder told Reuters. Washington has sought the extradition of Assange over his role in one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information, accusing him of putting lives in danger by releasing vast troves of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables. He has now spent nine years in jail or self-incarceration in Britain, and both Assange`s fiancée Stella Moris and the British judge overseeing the extradition request have warned he may not survive a process to send him across the Atlantic. "If Biden really wants to break with the Trump legacy, then he has to drop the case," Moris told Reuters in an interview. "They can`t maintain this prosecution against Julian while saying that they defend a global press freedom." When Barack Obama served as president and Biden was his vice president, the U.S. decided not to seek Assange’s extradition on the grounds that what WikiLeaks did was similar to journalistic activities protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Weeks after taking office Trump administration officials stepped up public criticism of Assange and later filed a series of criminal charges accusing him of participating in a hacking conspiracy. The U.S. Justice Department said in February it planned to continue to seek the extradition for Assange to face hacking conspiracy charges. Moris said the couple were planning to marry soon at the top-security Belmarsh prison where he is being held. U.S. prosecutors and Western security officials regard Assange as a reckless enemy of the state whose actions threatened the lives of agents named in the leaked material. Supporters pit him as an anti-establishment hero who exposed U.S. wrongdoing in Afghanistan and Iraq and say his prosecution is a politically motivated assault on journalism that gives a free pass to oppressive regimes around the world. WikiLeaks came to prominence when it published a U.S. military video in 2010 showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. An effort to extradite him was launched in 2019 after he was detained in London after taking refuge in Ecuador`s embassy in the British capital for seven years to avoid being extradited to Sweden. British judge Vanessa Baraitser said in January that although she accepted the U.S. legal arguments in the case, she said Assange`s mental health issues meant he would be at risk of suicide if extradited, leading to her rejecting the request. Morris, who has two young boys with the Australian-born Assange, said the 49-year-old was very low but still fighting. She likened his treatment as akin to the way some journalists are treated in China and Saudi Arabia. "I think there`s no doubt that Julian wouldn`t survive an extradition," she said. She argued that any robust democracy had to accommodate internal dissent. "A superpower that has a free press is very different in nature from one that does not." She said she is hopeful that the case will be viewed differently under a Biden administration, but refused to say if his legal team had held talks with U.S. officials. Despite that hope, she said the couple were planning to marry soon inside Belmarsh, once the paperwork is done, rather than wait to hear his fate. She said Assange had been given a huge lift recently when she was allowed to take their two sons to visit, allowing him to touch his children for the first time in over a year. "He was happy to see us, but he`s struggling," she said. "He`s very low but he`s fighting. He has the hope that this will end soon."

Assange's fiancée urges Biden to free WikiLeaks founder to show US has changed

Despite pressure from human rights groups, the US administration under President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>has appealed against the extradition verdict of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in the British court.

A brief filed late on Thursday declared that the US intends to pursue a trial against Assange espionage and hacking-related charges over the leak of hundreds of thousands of US military and diplomatic documents from 2009.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-judge-refuses-us-extradition-plea-of-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-354594/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Yes, we filed an appeal and we are continuing to pursue extradition," Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi told news agency AFP.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pamela-anderson-pleads-to-donald-trump-to-pardon-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-before-he-leaves-office-357715">Pamela Anderson pleads to Donald Trump to pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves office</a>

The US had until Friday to move against the ruling in the UK court that said Assange suffered mental health issues that increases the risk of suicide if he were extradited to the US for&nbsp;trial.&nbsp;

After the verdict, former president Donald Trump's administration decided to move against it.&nbsp;

However, before Thursday the stance of Biden was not clear as the case is of media freedom and the right to free speech.&nbsp;

After WikiLeaks started publishing the secret documents in 2009, then-President Barack Obama, under whom Biden was the vice president, decided to not pursue the case.&nbsp;

But, Trump, whose election campaign in 2016 was boosted by WikiLeaks publishing Russian-stolen materials hurting his rival Hillary Clinton, the Justice Department built a&nbsp; national security case against Assange.

Despite pressure from human rights groups, the US administration under President Joe Biden has appealed against the extradition verdict of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in the British court.

Despite pressure from human rights groups, the US administration under President Joe Biden has appealed against the extradition verdict of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in the British court. A brief filed late on Thursday declared that the US intends to pursue a trial against Assange espionage and hacking-related charges over the leak of hundreds of thousands of US military and diplomatic documents from 2009. Watch | "Yes, we filed an appeal and we are continuing to pursue extradition," Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi told news agency AFP. Also read | Pamela Anderson pleads to Donald Trump to pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves office The US had until Friday to move against the ruling in the UK court that said Assange suffered mental health issues that increases the risk of suicide if he were extradited to the US for trial. After the verdict, former president Donald Trump's administration decided to move against it. However, before Thursday the stance of Biden was not clear as the case is of media freedom and the right to free speech. After WikiLeaks started publishing the secret documents in 2009, then-President Barack Obama, under whom Biden was the vice president, decided to not pursue the case. But, Trump, whose election campaign in 2016 was boosted by WikiLeaks publishing Russian-stolen materials hurting his rival Hillary Clinton, the Justice Department built a national security case against Assange.

Biden administration appeals against Assange extradition verdict

Donald Trump's tenure as the President of United States ends in a few hours but actress Pamela Anderson made a final appeal to Trump to show his commitment to free speech by granting pardon to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves office.&nbsp; 
 
The 'Baywatch' star, a longtime supporter and friend of Assange, appeared on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' and said that the pardon decision represents a "defining moment for the president."&nbsp; 
 
Trump is expected to issue around 100 commutations and pardons before departing office.&nbsp; 
 
There has been an aggressive and active campaign appealing for Assange's freedom but the publisher is unlikely to make it to Trump's list.&nbsp; 
 
"The entire world wants, or most want him to pardon Julian Assange," Anderson told host Tucker Carlson. "This is his time to shine and really make an impression on the world. If this goes to trial, that’s the end of the First Amendment." 
 
"This is one of those moments in history, in his lifetime, where he can make the right decision," she told Carlson.&nbsp; 
 
"He would really gain a huge following and a huge sigh of relief and gratefulness from so many people on the planet." 
 
Assange, right now, is detained in the UK's Belmarsh Prison waiting for a final decision on his extradition to the United States. 
&nbsp;

Donald Trump's tenure as the President of United States ends in a few hours but actress Pamela Anderson made a final appeal to Trump to show his commitment to free speech by granting pardon to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves office.

Donald Trump's tenure as the President of United States ends in a few hours but actress Pamela Anderson made a final appeal to Trump to show his commitment to free speech by granting pardon to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves office. The 'Baywatch' star, a longtime supporter and friend of Assange, appeared on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' and said that the pardon decision represents a "defining moment for the president." Trump is expected to issue around 100 commutations and pardons before departing office. There has been an aggressive and active campaign appealing for Assange's freedom but the publisher is unlikely to make it to Trump's list. "The entire world wants, or most want him to pardon Julian Assange," Anderson told host Tucker Carlson. "This is his time to shine and really make an impression on the world. If this goes to trial, that’s the end of the First Amendment." "This is one of those moments in history, in his lifetime, where he can make the right decision," she told Carlson. "He would really gain a huge following and a huge sigh of relief and gratefulness from so many people on the planet." Assange, right now, is detained in the UK's Belmarsh Prison waiting for a final decision on his extradition to the United States.

Pamela Anderson pleads to Donald Trump to pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange before he leaves office

Nirav Modi appeared via videolink before a court on Thursday for a two-day hearing of final submissions in his fight against being extradited to India.

UK: Two day hearing of Nirav Modi case ends, verdict expected on February 25

Nirav Modi's lawyer raised a British court's judgment blocking the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US on mental health grounds, as the embattled diamond merchant appeared via videolink before a court here on Thursday for a two-day hearing of final submissions in his fight against being extradited to India.

The 49-year-old diamond merchant, facing charges of fraud, money laundering and intimidating witnesses in the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, appeared in the Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Sporting a full beard and dressed casually in a blazer, he followed the proceedings from a room at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London as his counsel raised Monday's judgment which blocks the extradition of Assange to the US on the grounds of his mental health.

In the Assange case, which is currently the subject of appeal, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser had ruled that extradition would be "oppressive by reason of mental harm" as the Australian activist could commit suicide.

"As in the Assange case, the issues here evidentially are the same, the mental condition of Modi and the treatment he would receive given the prison conditions in India," said barrister Clare Montgomery, reiterating that her client's mental health has been deteriorating due to his lengthy incarceration since March 2019.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian authorities, sought an adjournment to the proceedings in order to access Modi's mental health records to be independently evaluated by a consultant psychiatrist and appropriate assurances be acquired in terms of his care in India.

"While the issues of mental health are not contested, the consequences of those need cross-examining," said CPS barrister Helen Malcolm, who appeared via video link for the part-remote courtroom settings in place due to the UK's coronavirus lockdown.

The CPS pointed to already existing Indian government assurances in the case as well as the option for Modi to access privately paid for medical treatment, given his offer of millions in the course of several bail applications before the UK courts.

However, District Judge Samuel Goozee turned down the application for adjournment and concluded that the Indian government had "ample opportunity" to respond to five reports presented by defence witness Dr Andrew Forrester, a forensic psychiatrist who examined Modi on several occasions last year and concluded that "coupled with a severe condition of depression, he presents a high risk of suicide albeit not immediately".

The hearing on Thursday went on to focus on the defence team's concluding submissions that several legal bars exist against extraditing Modi to India, including on human rights grounds due to inadequate prison conditions that would fail to provide sufficient anti-suicide measures.

Modi's lawyers also claim that he would not receive a fair trial in India due to the case being politicised by the "ruling BJP", which impacted on the principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

On Friday, the CPS will conclude submissions on the prima facie case against Modi in detail, which is expected to complete the final hearings in the case and a judgment expected in a few weeks' time.

At the last full hearing in the case in November 2020, Judge Goozee heard the arguments for and against the admissibility of certain witness statements provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and ruled that the evidence to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against the wanted diamantaire is broadly admissible.

He concluded that he considered himself "bound" by the previous UK court rulings in the extradition case of former Kingfisher Airlines chief Vijay Mallya, who has been found to have a case to answer in India in his fraud and money laundering case and awaits a "confidential" legal clearance before UK Home Secretary Priti Patel can consider signing off on his extradition order.

Clare Montgomery, who was also the defence counsel in Mallya's case, has sought to establish that the two cases are "completely different".

Nirav Modi is the subject of two sets of criminal proceedings, with the CBI case relating to a large-scale fraud upon PNB through the fraudulent obtaining of "Letters of Understanding" (LoUs or loan agreements), and the ED case relating to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud.

He also faces two additional charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or "criminal intimidation to cause death" added to the CBI case.

The jeweller has been in prison since he was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard and his attempts at seeking bail have been repeatedly turned down.

The charges against him centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds making fraudulent use of credit facilities or LoUs in a conspiracy with banking officials.

Nirav Modi's lawyer raised a British court's judgment blocking the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US on mental health grounds, as the embattled diamond merchant appeared via videolink before a court here on Thursday for a two-day hearing of final submissions in his fight against being extradited to India.

Nirav Modi's lawyer raised a British court's judgment blocking the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US on mental health grounds, as the embattled diamond merchant appeared via videolink before a court here on Thursday for a two-day hearing of final submissions in his fight against being extradited to India. The 49-year-old diamond merchant, facing charges of fraud, money laundering and intimidating witnesses in the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, appeared in the Westminster Magistrates' Court. Sporting a full beard and dressed casually in a blazer, he followed the proceedings from a room at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London as his counsel raised Monday's judgment which blocks the extradition of Assange to the US on the grounds of his mental health. In the Assange case, which is currently the subject of appeal, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser had ruled that extradition would be "oppressive by reason of mental harm" as the Australian activist could commit suicide. "As in the Assange case, the issues here evidentially are the same, the mental condition of Modi and the treatment he would receive given the prison conditions in India," said barrister Clare Montgomery, reiterating that her client's mental health has been deteriorating due to his lengthy incarceration since March 2019. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian authorities, sought an adjournment to the proceedings in order to access Modi's mental health records to be independently evaluated by a consultant psychiatrist and appropriate assurances be acquired in terms of his care in India. "While the issues of mental health are not contested, the consequences of those need cross-examining," said CPS barrister Helen Malcolm, who appeared via video link for the part-remote courtroom settings in place due to the UK's coronavirus lockdown. The CPS pointed to already existing Indian government assurances in the case as well as the option for Modi to access privately paid for medical treatment, given his offer of millions in the course of several bail applications before the UK courts. However, District Judge Samuel Goozee turned down the application for adjournment and concluded that the Indian government had "ample opportunity" to respond to five reports presented by defence witness Dr Andrew Forrester, a forensic psychiatrist who examined Modi on several occasions last year and concluded that "coupled with a severe condition of depression, he presents a high risk of suicide albeit not immediately". The hearing on Thursday went on to focus on the defence team's concluding submissions that several legal bars exist against extraditing Modi to India, including on human rights grounds due to inadequate prison conditions that would fail to provide sufficient anti-suicide measures. Modi's lawyers also claim that he would not receive a fair trial in India due to the case being politicised by the "ruling BJP", which impacted on the principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty. On Friday, the CPS will conclude submissions on the prima facie case against Modi in detail, which is expected to complete the final hearings in the case and a judgment expected in a few weeks' time. At the last full hearing in the case in November 2020, Judge Goozee heard the arguments for and against the admissibility of certain witness statements provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and ruled that the evidence to establish a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering against the wanted diamantaire is broadly admissible. He concluded that he considered himself "bound" by the previous UK court rulings in the extradition case of former Kingfisher Airlines chief Vijay Mallya, who has been found to have a case to answer in India in his fraud and money laundering case and awaits a "confidential" legal clearance before UK Home Secretary Priti Patel can consider signing off on his extradition order. Clare Montgomery, who was also the defence counsel in Mallya's case, has sought to establish that the two cases are "completely different". Nirav Modi is the subject of two sets of criminal proceedings, with the CBI case relating to a large-scale fraud upon PNB through the fraudulent obtaining of "Letters of Understanding" (LoUs or loan agreements), and the ED case relating to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud. He also faces two additional charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or "criminal intimidation to cause death" added to the CBI case. The jeweller has been in prison since he was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard and his attempts at seeking bail have been repeatedly turned down. The charges against him centre around his firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds making fraudulent use of credit facilities or LoUs in a conspiracy with banking officials.

Nirav Modi's lawyers rely on Julian Assange extradition block for his final hearings in UK

A court in the UK will hear the bail plea of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Wednesday -- wherein his lawyers will argue he should be released from the prison, pending Washington's appeal against a decision not to extradite him to the United States.

A judge in London on Monday blocked his extradition to face charges for publishing hundreds of thousands of secret documents online, assessing he was a high suicide risk if transferred.

The United States, which called the ruling "extremely disappointing", has said it would appeal and has two weeks to lodge its grounds.

Assange has remained in the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London pending the latest hearing, at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London.

The 49-year-old Australian publisher's long-running legal woes have become a cause celebre for media freedom, despite the judge's view he had a case to answer in the United States.

A previous bail hearing in March was told he should be released because he was vulnerable to Covid-19 while behind bars. But the argument was rejected on the grounds he was likely to abscond.

He was arrested in 2019 after seeking sanctuary at Ecuador's embassy in London in 2012 following Sweden's issuing of an arrest warrant in connection with sexual assault allegations.

Assange was arrested for breaching his bail terms in connection with the Swedish case, which was later dropped due to lack of evidence, and sentenced to 50 weeks, which the UN called "disproportionate".

He has remained at Belmarsh pending the conclusion of the American extradition request.

Assange is still wanted on 18 charges in the US -- bearing a maximum 175-year sentence -- relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A court in the UK will hear the bail plea of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Wednesday -- wherein his lawyers will argue he should be released from the prison, pending Washington's appeal against a decision not to extradite him to the United States.

A court in the UK will hear the bail plea of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Wednesday -- wherein his lawyers will argue he should be released from the prison, pending Washington's appeal against a decision not to extradite him to the United States. A judge in London on Monday blocked his extradition to face charges for publishing hundreds of thousands of secret documents online, assessing he was a high suicide risk if transferred. The United States, which called the ruling "extremely disappointing", has said it would appeal and has two weeks to lodge its grounds. Assange has remained in the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London pending the latest hearing, at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London. The 49-year-old Australian publisher's long-running legal woes have become a cause celebre for media freedom, despite the judge's view he had a case to answer in the United States. A previous bail hearing in March was told he should be released because he was vulnerable to Covid-19 while behind bars. But the argument was rejected on the grounds he was likely to abscond. He was arrested in 2019 after seeking sanctuary at Ecuador's embassy in London in 2012 following Sweden's issuing of an arrest warrant in connection with sexual assault allegations. Assange was arrested for breaching his bail terms in connection with the Swedish case, which was later dropped due to lack of evidence, and sentenced to 50 weeks, which the UN called "disproportionate". He has remained at Belmarsh pending the conclusion of the American extradition request. Assange is still wanted on 18 charges in the US -- bearing a maximum 175-year sentence -- relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

UK court to hear bail plea for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

A UK court on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange who is hauled up in the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London.

Watch:

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The London court said that Assange may abscond if granted bail.

Assange will now remain in custody pending a US appeal that blocked his extradition. The US government has charged the whistleblower of leaking secret military documents.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser told Westminster Magistrates Court: "I am satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr Assange is released today he will fail to surrender to the court to face the appellant proceedings."

Kristinn Hrafnsson, WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief, said: "It does not make any sense from any point of view to not give him bail, when the court earlier observed his condition."

The judge had earlier blocked Assange's extradition to the United States stating that he is a suicide risk.

Assange faces 18 charges in the US relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing military campaigns in Afghanistan&nbsp;and Iraq.&nbsp;

The controversial whistleblower had sought refuge in Ecuador's embassy in 2012 after Sweden issued an arrest warrant in his name for allegedly committing rape, however, the country later dropped the charge.

After spending seven years at the Ecuadorian embassy the government revoked his citizenship allowing British police to drag him out and arrest him in 2019.&nbsp;

A UK court on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange who is hauled up in the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London. Watch: The London court said that Assange may abscond if granted bail.

A UK court on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange who is hauled up in the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London. Watch: The London court said that Assange may abscond if granted bail. Assange will now remain in custody pending a US appeal that blocked his extradition. The US government has charged the whistleblower of leaking secret military documents. Judge Vanessa Baraitser told Westminster Magistrates Court: "I am satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that if Mr Assange is released today he will fail to surrender to the court to face the appellant proceedings." Kristinn Hrafnsson, WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief, said: "It does not make any sense from any point of view to not give him bail, when the court earlier observed his condition." The judge had earlier blocked Assange's extradition to the United States stating that he is a suicide risk. Assange faces 18 charges in the US relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. The controversial whistleblower had sought refuge in Ecuador's embassy in 2012 after Sweden issued an arrest warrant in his name for allegedly committing rape, however, the country later dropped the charge. After spending seven years at the Ecuadorian embassy the government revoked his citizenship allowing British police to drag him out and arrest him in 2019.

London court denies bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

Lawyers for the U.S. government said they would appeal the decision, and the U.S. Department of Justice said it would continue to seek Assange’s extradition.

UK judge refuses US' extradition plea of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

British judge Vanessa Baraitser has refused the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States amidst fears that Assange 'may commit suicide'.

U.S. disappointed with ruling of British court in Julian Assange extradition case

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will learn on Monday whether a British judge has approved his extradition to the United States to face charges including espionage over the release of secret US&nbsp;military documents. 
 
US&nbsp;authorities accuse Australian-born Assange, 49, of 18 counts of conspiring to hack government computers and of breaching a secrecy law by releasing vast troves of confidential military records and diplomatic cables over a decade ago. 
 
If extradited and then found guilty of espionage, Assange could go to prison for 30 to 40 years, his lawyers say, though prosecutors say he would face no more than 63 months in jail. 
 
Whoever loses Monday`s ruling is likely to appeal to London`s High Court and the case could go the United Kingdom`s Supreme Court, further delaying the final outcome. 
 
U.S. prosecutors and Western security officials see Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, as a reckless and dangerous enemy of the state whose actions put at risk the lives of agents whose names were in the material. 
 
Supporters regard him as an anti-establishment hero who has been victimised because he exposed U.S. wrongdoing in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and say his prosecution is an assault on journalism and free speech. 
 
Assange`s legal team said in its closing written submission to Judge Vanessa Baraitser that the prosecution had been politically motivated "during a unique period of U.S. history under the (U.S. President Donald) Trump administration." 
 
The legal team representing the United States has challenged that assertion, saying U.S. federal prosecutors are forbidden to consider political opinion in making their decisions. 
 
DIPLOMATIC CABLES 
 
WikiLeaks published a U.S. military video in 2010 showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. It then released thousands of secret classified files and diplomatic cables. 
 
The legal saga began soon afterwards when Sweden sought Assange`s extradition from Britain over allegations of sex crimes. When he lost that case in 2012, he fled to the Ecuadorean embassy in London, where he spent seven years, during which he fathered two children. 
 
When he was finally dragged out in April 2019, he was jailed for breaching British bail conditions although the Swedish case against him had been dropped. Last June, the U.S. Justice Department formally asked Britain to extradite him. 
 
Assange`s legal team say the charges are politically motivated, his mental health is at risk, conditions in U.S. prisons breach Britain`s human rights laws, and he and his lawyers were spied on while he was in the Ecuadorean embassy. 
 
The U.S. legal team has said many of Assange’s defence arguments are issues that should be addressed in a trial and have no bearing on extradition. 
 
There is also a possibility that Joe Biden might reverse the decision to prosecute Assange after Biden succeeds Trump as president later this month.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will learn on Monday whether a British judge has approved his extradition to the United States to face charges including espionage over the release of secret US military documents.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will learn on Monday whether a British judge has approved his extradition to the United States to face charges including espionage over the release of secret US military documents. US authorities accuse Australian-born Assange, 49, of 18 counts of conspiring to hack government computers and of breaching a secrecy law by releasing vast troves of confidential military records and diplomatic cables over a decade ago. If extradited and then found guilty of espionage, Assange could go to prison for 30 to 40 years, his lawyers say, though prosecutors say he would face no more than 63 months in jail. Whoever loses Monday`s ruling is likely to appeal to London`s High Court and the case could go the United Kingdom`s Supreme Court, further delaying the final outcome. U.S. prosecutors and Western security officials see Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, as a reckless and dangerous enemy of the state whose actions put at risk the lives of agents whose names were in the material. Supporters regard him as an anti-establishment hero who has been victimised because he exposed U.S. wrongdoing in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and say his prosecution is an assault on journalism and free speech. Assange`s legal team said in its closing written submission to Judge Vanessa Baraitser that the prosecution had been politically motivated "during a unique period of U.S. history under the (U.S. President Donald) Trump administration." The legal team representing the United States has challenged that assertion, saying U.S. federal prosecutors are forbidden to consider political opinion in making their decisions. DIPLOMATIC CABLES WikiLeaks published a U.S. military video in 2010 showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. It then released thousands of secret classified files and diplomatic cables. The legal saga began soon afterwards when Sweden sought Assange`s extradition from Britain over allegations of sex crimes. When he lost that case in 2012, he fled to the Ecuadorean embassy in London, where he spent seven years, during which he fathered two children. When he was finally dragged out in April 2019, he was jailed for breaching British bail conditions although the Swedish case against him had been dropped. Last June, the U.S. Justice Department formally asked Britain to extradite him. Assange`s legal team say the charges are politically motivated, his mental health is at risk, conditions in U.S. prisons breach Britain`s human rights laws, and he and his lawyers were spied on while he was in the Ecuadorean embassy. The U.S. legal team has said many of Assange’s defence arguments are issues that should be addressed in a trial and have no bearing on extradition. There is also a possibility that Joe Biden might reverse the decision to prosecute Assange after Biden succeeds Trump as president later this month.

WikiLeaks founder Assange to hear UK judge's ruling on extradition to US

A UK court on Monday ruled that WikiLeaks&nbsp;founder Julian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-mp-urges-donald-trump-to-pardon-julian-assange-before-leaving-white-house-349532">Assange</a>, 49, should not be extradited to the United States to face charges related to breaking spying law and conspiracy to hack government computers.

Assange had taken refuge in the Ecuador embassy in 2010 after Sweden pressed for his extradition on rape charges which was subsequently dropped.

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Good news the extradition of Julian Assange has been refused. 
 
Extradition would be an attack on press freedom. 
 
It is alarming the judge has accepted US Government arguments threatening freedom of speech and to publish. 
 
Assange should be released. 
 
See <a href="https://t.co/XPw13Am6Cs">https://t.co/XPw13Am6Cs</a>
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/1346087862865944576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Judge Vanessa Baraitser at the&nbsp;Old Bailey court&nbsp;in London said she refused Assange's&nbsp;extradition to the United States as she feared that the controversial whistleblower could commit suicide.

"Faced with conditions of near total isolation ... I am satisfied that the procedures (outline by US authorities) will not prevent Mr&nbsp;Assange from finding a way to commit suicide," judge Baraitser said.

Assange had stayed in the Ecuador embassy for seven years which ended after the new Ecuador government turned him over to British police in April 2019.

A UK court on Monday ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, 49, should not be extradited to the United States to face charges related to breaking spying law and conspiracy to hack government computers.

A UK court on Monday ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, 49, should not be extradited to the United States to face charges related to breaking spying law and conspiracy to hack government computers. Assange had taken refuge in the Ecuador embassy in 2010 after Sweden pressed for his extradition on rape charges which was subsequently dropped. Good news the extradition of Julian Assange has been refused. Extradition would be an attack on press freedom. It is alarming the judge has accepted US Government arguments threatening freedom of speech and to publish. Assange should be released. See https://t.co/XPw13Am6Cs — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 4, 2021 × Judge Vanessa Baraitser at the Old Bailey court in London said she refused Assange's extradition to the United States as she feared that the controversial whistleblower could commit suicide. "Faced with conditions of near total isolation ... I am satisfied that the procedures (outline by US authorities) will not prevent Mr Assange from finding a way to commit suicide," judge Baraitser said. Assange had stayed in the Ecuador embassy for seven years which ended after the new Ecuador government turned him over to British police in April 2019.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange not to be extradited to United States: UK court

It is now very clear that the outgoing US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> has only a month left in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/the-white-house">White House</a> after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>registered a historic win in the recently-conducted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>.

To make the best of his last month in the Oval office, an Australian MP&nbsp;George Christensen has asked the outgoing President to utilise his time and pardon the infamous&nbsp;WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nsa-whistleblower-edward-snowden-urges-trump-to-grant-clemency-to-wikileaks-julian-assange-347482">NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden urges Trump to grant clemency to WikiLeaks' Julian Assange</a>

George Christensen is an Australian MP who has now started a campaign to save his fellow Australian citizen who has been charged for publishing classified material and faces a prison sentence for nearly&nbsp;175 years.

Alleging the Democrats, especially the Barack Obama administration, of targetting&nbsp;Assange for "exposing" Hillary Clinton, he said,&nbsp;"I&nbsp;mean Hillary Clinton hates his guts, obviously, for exposing who the real Hillary was, and you’ve had a war on Assange by the Democrats and the deep state."

He also reminded everyone how the President-elect Joe Biden has termed Assange as a "hi-tech terrorist".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-does-us-president-trump-want-pre-emptive-pardons-for-himself-and-family-347019/amp">Why does US President Trump want pre-emptive pardons for himself and family?</a>

Urging Trump to "poke the deep state in the eye", he said pardoning Assange will be "one way that Donald Trump can stand up for free speech".

Showing confidence in the United States' Constitution, Christensen said he hopes Trump will see pardoning Assange is the right thing to do. "So I’m hoping that he will pardon Julian Assange. It’s the right thing to do," he said.

Assange, right now, is detained in the UK's&nbsp;Belmarsh Prison waiting for a final decision on his&nbsp;extradition to the United States.

It is now very clear that the outgoing US President Donald Trump has only a month left in the White House after the Joe Biden registered a historic win in the recently-conducted US elections.

It is now very clear that the outgoing US President Donald Trump has only a month left in the White House after the Joe Biden registered a historic win in the recently-conducted US elections. To make the best of his last month in the Oval office, an Australian MP George Christensen has asked the outgoing President to utilise his time and pardon the infamous WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Also read| NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden urges Trump to grant clemency to WikiLeaks' Julian Assange George Christensen is an Australian MP who has now started a campaign to save his fellow Australian citizen who has been charged for publishing classified material and faces a prison sentence for nearly 175 years. Alleging the Democrats, especially the Barack Obama administration, of targetting Assange for "exposing" Hillary Clinton, he said, "I mean Hillary Clinton hates his guts, obviously, for exposing who the real Hillary was, and you’ve had a war on Assange by the Democrats and the deep state." He also reminded everyone how the President-elect Joe Biden has termed Assange as a "hi-tech terrorist". Also read| Why does US President Trump want pre-emptive pardons for himself and family? Urging Trump to "poke the deep state in the eye", he said pardoning Assange will be "one way that Donald Trump can stand up for free speech". Showing confidence in the United States' Constitution, Christensen said he hopes Trump will see pardoning Assange is the right thing to do. "So I’m hoping that he will pardon Julian Assange. It’s the right thing to do," he said. Assange, right now, is detained in the UK's Belmarsh Prison waiting for a final decision on his extradition to the United States.

Australian MP urges Donald Trump to pardon Julian Assange before leaving White House

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on Friday requested US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> to pardon&nbsp;WikiLeaks co-founder&nbsp;Julian Assange for&nbsp;espionage charges.

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Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency during your time in office, please: free Julian Assange. You alone can save his life. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) <a href="https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1334608745192677380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Incumbent US President Donald Trump has a few weeks left in the White House, and now he wants to save his allies and children from prosecution. Once they leave the White House, Trump and his inner circle could be sued. Until Trump holds office, he is immune to any legal action.

Reportedly, Donald Trump is considering a way to keep his kids and allies safe from prosecution. Trump has discussed with his advisers whether he could fetch pre-emptive pardons to protect his three eldest children - Donald Trump Junior, Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-does-us-president-trump-want-pre-emptive-pardons-for-himself-and-family-347019/amp">Why does US President Trump want pre-emptive pardons for himself and family?</a>

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The solicitation from Snowden came as Assange sits in a UK jail anticipating an adjudicator's decision, planned for January, on his removal to the US to confront an 18-check arraignment for supposed undercover work and connivance to submit hacking. Whenever indicted, he could confront a US jail sentence of as long as 175 years. He was captured in London in April 2019 in the wake of taking asylum in the Ecuadorian international safe haven for a very long time.&nbsp;

Assange distributed a huge number of released grouped records in 2010 and 2011 uncovering US military bad behavior. The 48-year-old is purportedly in chronic weakness following quite a while of repression. In excess of 60 specialists from eight distinct nations composed an open letter before the end of last year saying they were worried that he could bite the dust in care if he's not moved from the high-security Belmarsh Prison to an emergency clinic. Their solicitation was denied.&nbsp;

Snowden, the previous CIA and NSA temporary worker who uncovered mass reconnaissance of Americans by US insight administrations, was conceded perpetual residency in Russia in October subsequent to taking shelter in the nation since 2013. He's been accused of two tallies of reconnaissance and burglary of government property. Russia, which has no removal settlement with the US, recently conceded Snowden's impermanent refuge.&nbsp;

Trump's archetype, Barack Obama, denied Snowden's solicitation for an exculpation. In any case, Trump, who said in 2013 that Snowden was a "spy who should be executed," has reevaluated that position lately. Trump told correspondents in August that he would consider exculpating Snowden.&nbsp;

Individuals from the two sides of the US political separation have asked Trump to acquit Snowden and Assange. US Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) a month ago reestablished her requires the president to exculpate the two men, saying they uncovered the guiltiness of the covert government at extraordinary a disregard for one's own needs.&nbsp;

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> Since you're giving pardons to people, please consider pardoning those who, at great personal sacrifice, exposed the deception and criminality of those in the deep state. <a href="https://t.co/aeXklUsNSd">https://t.co/aeXklUsNSd</a>
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1331919709055422473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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if <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> wants to show everyone he's one of the people, anti establishment and not apart of the swamp, he would pardon 
 
1. Assange 
2. Snowden 
3. Ulbricht
— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lukewearechange/status/1332416756393025536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After Gabbard was assaulted for supporting him, Snowden himself noticed that the general population has betrayed legislators who smear informants.&nbsp;

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Politicians take note: smearing whistleblowers and publishers with obvious bullshit no longer gets you showered in likes, it gets you ratioed by a furious public. 
 
It is time to end the war on whistleblowers. <a href="https://t.co/bMfzUU5VCt">pic.twitter.com/bMfzUU5VCt</a>
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) <a href="https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1332694402549100547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump will have just until January 20 to make a move except if he's fruitful in getting the courts to topple Democrat Joe Biden's media-proclaimed political race triumph. Digital recording host Jen Perelman, a Florida Democrat who ran fruitlessly to take Debbie Wasserman-Shultz's legislative seat, proposed that Snowden's possibilities could be more awful under the following organization. "Is oversight going to be more regrettable under Biden?" she inquired.&nbsp;

Snowden prior uncovered that in 2013 then-VP Biden was considering nations around the globe to caution them that in the event that they award refuge to the informant, they will be confronted with "results" from Washington.&nbsp;

Different eyewitnesses applauded Snowden for asking Trump to consider Assange's case even before his own. "How tolerant and caring of you," one analyst said. Another stated, "The individuals of America and the world will be everlastingly thankful to the daring truth-tellers, be they informants or legitimate writers, regardless of whether they don't all acknowledge it yet."

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on Friday requested US President Donald Trump to pardon WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange for espionage charges. Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency during your time in office, please: free Julian Assange.

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on Friday requested US President Donald Trump to pardon WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange for espionage charges. Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency during your time in office, please: free Julian Assange. You alone can save his life. @realDonaldTrump — Edward Snowden (@Snowden) December 3, 2020 × Incumbent US President Donald Trump has a few weeks left in the White House, and now he wants to save his allies and children from prosecution. Once they leave the White House, Trump and his inner circle could be sued. Until Trump holds office, he is immune to any legal action. Reportedly, Donald Trump is considering a way to keep his kids and allies safe from prosecution. Trump has discussed with his advisers whether he could fetch pre-emptive pardons to protect his three eldest children - Donald Trump Junior, Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Also read: Why does US President Trump want pre-emptive pardons for himself and family? The solicitation from Snowden came as Assange sits in a UK jail anticipating an adjudicator's decision, planned for January, on his removal to the US to confront an 18-check arraignment for supposed undercover work and connivance to submit hacking. Whenever indicted, he could confront a US jail sentence of as long as 175 years. He was captured in London in April 2019 in the wake of taking asylum in the Ecuadorian international safe haven for a very long time. Assange distributed a huge number of released grouped records in 2010 and 2011 uncovering US military bad behavior. The 48-year-old is purportedly in chronic weakness following quite a while of repression. In excess of 60 specialists from eight distinct nations composed an open letter before the end of last year saying they were worried that he could bite the dust in care if he's not moved from the high-security Belmarsh Prison to an emergency clinic. Their solicitation was denied. Snowden, the previous CIA and NSA temporary worker who uncovered mass reconnaissance of Americans by US insight administrations, was conceded perpetual residency in Russia in October subsequent to taking shelter in the nation since 2013. He's been accused of two tallies of reconnaissance and burglary of government property. Russia, which has no removal settlement with the US, recently conceded Snowden's impermanent refuge. Trump's archetype, Barack Obama, denied Snowden's solicitation for an exculpation. In any case, Trump, who said in 2013 that Snowden was a "spy who should be executed," has reevaluated that position lately. Trump told correspondents in August that he would consider exculpating Snowden. Individuals from the two sides of the US political separation have asked Trump to acquit Snowden and Assange. US Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) a month ago reestablished her requires the president to exculpate the two men, saying they uncovered the guiltiness of the covert government at extraordinary a disregard for one's own needs. .@realDonaldTrump Since you're giving pardons to people, please consider pardoning those who, at great personal sacrifice, exposed the deception and criminality of those in the deep state. https://t.co/aeXklUsNSd — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) November 26, 2020 × if @realDonaldTrump wants to show everyone he's one of the people, anti establishment and not apart of the swamp, he would pardon 1. Assange 2. Snowden 3. Ulbricht — Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) November 27, 2020 × After Gabbard was assaulted for supporting him, Snowden himself noticed that the general population has betrayed legislators who smear informants. Politicians take note: smearing whistleblowers and publishers with obvious bullshit no longer gets you showered in likes, it gets you ratioed by a furious public. It is time to end the war on whistleblowers. pic.twitter.com/bMfzUU5VCt — Edward Snowden (@Snowden) November 28, 2020 × Trump will have just until January 20 to make a move except if he's fruitful in getting the courts to topple Democrat Joe Biden's media-proclaimed political race triumph. Digital recording host Jen Perelman, a Florida Democrat who ran fruitlessly to take Debbie Wasserman-Shultz's legislative seat, proposed that Snowden's possibilities could be more awful under the following organization. "Is oversight going to be more regrettable under Biden?" she inquired. Snowden prior uncovered that in 2013 then-VP Biden was considering nations around the globe to caution them that in the event that they award refuge to the informant, they will be confronted with "results" from Washington. Different eyewitnesses applauded Snowden for asking Trump to consider Assange's case even before his own. "How tolerant and caring of you," one analyst said. Another stated, "The individuals of America and the world will be everlastingly thankful to the daring truth-tellers, be they informants or legitimate writers, regardless of whether they don't all acknowledge it yet."

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden urges Trump to grant clemency to WikiLeaks' Julian Assange

A British judge said on Thursday that she would give her decision on extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to US early next year. In the US, Assange may face charges including espionage. Assange faces accuasations from US authorities of conspiring to hack government computers and violating espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables. These cables were leaked by Wikileaks in 2010-2011.

Assange's lawyer say that the charges against the Australian-born are politically motivated. They also say that Assange's mental health is at risk and that conditions of US prisons are in violation of Britain's human rights laws. They also allege that Julian Assange and his lawyers were spied on while he was in Ecuaorian embassy in the UK.

The legal team representing the United States have countered that many of those arguments are issues which should be addressed in a trial, and have no bearing on extradition.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser told London`s Old Bailey Court at the conclusion of hearings from witnesses in the case that she would deliver her verdict on January 4.

(With Reuters inputs)

A British judge said on Thursday that she would give her decision on extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to US early next year. In the US, Assange may face charges including espionage.

A British judge said on Thursday that she would give her decision on extradition of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to US early next year. In the US, Assange may face charges including espionage. Assange faces accuasations from US authorities of conspiring to hack government computers and violating espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables. These cables were leaked by Wikileaks in 2010-2011. Assange's lawyer say that the charges against the Australian-born are politically motivated. They also say that Assange's mental health is at risk and that conditions of US prisons are in violation of Britain's human rights laws. They also allege that Julian Assange and his lawyers were spied on while he was in Ecuaorian embassy in the UK. The legal team representing the United States have countered that many of those arguments are issues which should be addressed in a trial, and have no bearing on extradition. Judge Vanessa Baraitser told London`s Old Bailey Court at the conclusion of hearings from witnesses in the case that she would deliver her verdict on January 4. (With Reuters inputs)

Julian Assange US extradition: UK judge to give verdict early next year

The decision on whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange would be extradited to face espionage charges in the United States will only be taken after the US election.

The British judge presiding over his hearing said Friday concluded that "one way or another my decision is likely to go after the election in the US" and gave the defence four weeks to prepare their arguments, and the American government a further two weeks.

Assange faces 18 charges in the US relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Evidence in the extradition hearing at London's Old Bailey court is due to close next week.

"Evidently it seems unlikely we will be able to get judgment before November 4," the lawyer representing the Australian told the court.

The lawyer also claimed that the move to extradite his client was politically motivated under US President Donald Trump, telling the court that some aspects of his defence, linked to the president, "would be worse if Mr Trump was there".

Washington claims Assange helped intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before exposing confidential sources around the world.

If convicted, Assange -- who has been held at London's high security Belmarsh Prison for the last 16 months -- could be jailed for up to 175 years.

The extradition hearing is the latest in a series of legal battles faced by Assange since the leaks a decade ago.

In 2010, he faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he denied.

The decision on whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange would be extradited to face espionage charges in the United States will only be taken after the US election.

The decision on whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange would be extradited to face espionage charges in the United States will only be taken after the US election. The British judge presiding over his hearing said Friday concluded that "one way or another my decision is likely to go after the election in the US" and gave the defence four weeks to prepare their arguments, and the American government a further two weeks. Assange faces 18 charges in the US relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Evidence in the extradition hearing at London's Old Bailey court is due to close next week. "Evidently it seems unlikely we will be able to get judgment before November 4," the lawyer representing the Australian told the court. The lawyer also claimed that the move to extradite his client was politically motivated under US President Donald Trump, telling the court that some aspects of his defence, linked to the president, "would be worse if Mr Trump was there". Washington claims Assange helped intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before exposing confidential sources around the world. If convicted, Assange -- who has been held at London's high security Belmarsh Prison for the last 16 months -- could be jailed for up to 175 years. The extradition hearing is the latest in a series of legal battles faced by Assange since the leaks a decade ago. In 2010, he faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, which he denied.

No decision will be taken on Assange extradition before US vote

The WikiLeaks founder&nbsp;Julian Assange's case took an interesting turn as his lawyer issued a witness statement accusing the US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;of bribing before the 2016&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a>.

Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, has claimed to be present in the room when an ally of Trump&nbsp;offered to arrange for a pardon of Assange in return for information that would&nbsp;“benefit President Trump politically”.

She has alleged the then-Republican&nbsp;Representative Dana Rohrabacher of helping Trump in this arrangement. Robinson said the meeting took place at the&nbsp;Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2017, and Dana, along with an assistant, were present in the room during the conversation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/most-infamous-and-shocking-presidential-pardons-in-the-history-of-us-312513">Have a look: Most infamous and shocking presidential pardons in the history of US</a>

Trump, in return, wanted information about&nbsp;the hacking of Democratic emails before the 2016 US presidential election.

“They stated that President Trump was aware of and had approved of them coming to meet with Mr Assange to discuss a proposal — and that they would have an audience with the President to discuss the matter on their return to Washington DC,” she said.

“The proposal put forward by Congressman Rohrabacher was that Mr. Assange identify the source for the 2016 election publications in return for some form of pardon, assurance or agreement, which would both benefit President Trump politically and prevent US&nbsp;indictment and extradition,” Robinson said.

The White House had earlier denied any reports of a possible pardon by claiming the reports to be&nbsp;“a complete fabrication and a total lie”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-acted-in-public-interest-pentagon-papers-leaker-tells-julian-assange-hearing-328036/amp">Also read:&nbsp;WikiLeaks acted in public interest, ‘pentagon papers’ leaker tells Julian Assange hearing&nbsp;</a>

Rohrabacher, meanwhile, denied Trump being a part of this arrangement and claimed to have acted out of own will in this matter.

The 49-year-old was charged with trying to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.

During the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential campaign, WikiLeaks published a series of Democratic National Committee emails damaging to candidate Hillary Clinton. U.S. investigators have concluded that the emails were hacked by Russia as part of an effort to influence the election.

The 2016 election leaks are not directly a part of the U.S. criminal case against Assange, which covers secret military and diplomatic documents published by WikiLeaks several years earlier.

(With inputs from agencies)

The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's case took an interesting turn as his lawyer issued a witness statement accusing the US President Donald Trump of bribing before the 2016 US elections.

The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's case took an interesting turn as his lawyer issued a witness statement accusing the US President Donald Trump of bribing before the 2016 US elections. Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, has claimed to be present in the room when an ally of Trump offered to arrange for a pardon of Assange in return for information that would “benefit President Trump politically”. She has alleged the then-Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher of helping Trump in this arrangement. Robinson said the meeting took place at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2017, and Dana, along with an assistant, were present in the room during the conversation. Have a look: Most infamous and shocking presidential pardons in the history of US Trump, in return, wanted information about the hacking of Democratic emails before the 2016 US presidential election. “They stated that President Trump was aware of and had approved of them coming to meet with Mr Assange to discuss a proposal — and that they would have an audience with the President to discuss the matter on their return to Washington DC,” she said. “The proposal put forward by Congressman Rohrabacher was that Mr. Assange identify the source for the 2016 election publications in return for some form of pardon, assurance or agreement, which would both benefit President Trump politically and prevent US indictment and extradition,” Robinson said. The White House had earlier denied any reports of a possible pardon by claiming the reports to be “a complete fabrication and a total lie”. Also read: WikiLeaks acted in public interest, ‘pentagon papers’ leaker tells Julian Assange hearing Rohrabacher, meanwhile, denied Trump being a part of this arrangement and claimed to have acted out of own will in this matter. The 49-year-old was charged with trying to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011. During the 2016 US presidential campaign, WikiLeaks published a series of Democratic National Committee emails damaging to candidate Hillary Clinton. U.S. investigators have concluded that the emails were hacked by Russia as part of an effort to influence the election. The 2016 election leaks are not directly a part of the U.S. criminal case against Assange, which covers secret military and diplomatic documents published by WikiLeaks several years earlier. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump accused of offering pardon to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for information on US elections

The man who leaked the "Pentagon Papers" about the Vietnam War defended Julian Assange at his London extradition hearing on Wednesday, saying WikiLeaks had acted in the public interest and warning Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States.

Australian-born Assange, 49, is fighting to stop being sent to the United States, where he is charged with conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.

Daniel Ellsberg, who in 1971 leaked documents known as the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times and other papers, told the court that WikiLeaks' disclosures had shown Americans how they had been misled about USaction in Iraq and Afghanistan just as his leaks, which also revealed previously secret information, did about the Vietnam War.

Ellsberg cited a US military video, which WikiLeaks published in 2010 under the title "Collateral Murder", showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff.

"I was acutely aware that what was depicted in that video deserved the term murder, a war crime," he told London's Old Bailey court via videolink. "I was very glad that the American public was confronted with this reality of our war."

James Lewis, the lawyer representing the US authorities, said Assange was not wanted for publishing the 2007 video but for disclosing a small number of documents with the unredacted names of sources or informants.

Lewis said many of these had suffered harm or threats because they had been named. He said some had disappeared, although he conceded that there was no evidence this was directly linked to the WikiLeaks' publication.

"How can you possibly say ... that there is no evidence that Mr Assange's publication of WikiLeaks put anyone in danger. That's just pure nonsense," Lewis said.

Ellsberg, who was himself charged with breaking the espionage law in a case that was later dismissed, said there was no evidence of physical harm or deaths because of the leaks. The exchange with Lewis led to an outburst from Assange in the courtroom, with the judge warning him to remain silent.

Redactions

Earlier, John Goetz, an investigative reporter who worked for Germany's Der Spiegel magazine on the first publication of the documents in 2010, said Assange was careful to ensure that the names of informants in hundreds of thousands of leaked secret US government documents were never published.

He said the US State Department had been involved in a conference call suggesting redactions, and WikiLeaks had agreed to hold back about 15,000 documents for publication.

"There was sensitivity and it was one of the things that was talked about all the time," Goetz told the court. Assange was concerned that the media should take measures "so no one would be harmed", he said.

The State Department did not immediately respond when asked to comment on Goetz's testimony.

Goetz said WikiLeaks was frustrated when a password that allowed access to the full, unredacted material was published in a book by Guardian reporters in February 2011.

Assange's lawyers argue that he would not receive a fair trial in the United States and that the charges are politically motivated. They have also said he would be a suicide risk if sent to the United States, where they say he could be sentenced to 175 years in prison.

In 2012, Assange took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was accused of sex crimes, which he denied and which were later dropped. After seven years, he was dragged from the embassy by British police in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail related to the Swedish case.

He has remained in prison ever since, after the United States made its extradition request.

The man who leaked the "Pentagon Papers" about the Vietnam War defended Julian Assange at his London extradition hearing on Wednesday, saying WikiLeaks had acted in the public interest and warning Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States.

The man who leaked the "Pentagon Papers" about the Vietnam War defended Julian Assange at his London extradition hearing on Wednesday, saying WikiLeaks had acted in the public interest and warning Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States. Australian-born Assange, 49, is fighting to stop being sent to the United States, where he is charged with conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011. Daniel Ellsberg, who in 1971 leaked documents known as the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times and other papers, told the court that WikiLeaks' disclosures had shown Americans how they had been misled about USaction in Iraq and Afghanistan just as his leaks, which also revealed previously secret information, did about the Vietnam War. Ellsberg cited a US military video, which WikiLeaks published in 2010 under the title "Collateral Murder", showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. "I was acutely aware that what was depicted in that video deserved the term murder, a war crime," he told London's Old Bailey court via videolink. "I was very glad that the American public was confronted with this reality of our war." James Lewis, the lawyer representing the US authorities, said Assange was not wanted for publishing the 2007 video but for disclosing a small number of documents with the unredacted names of sources or informants. Lewis said many of these had suffered harm or threats because they had been named. He said some had disappeared, although he conceded that there was no evidence this was directly linked to the WikiLeaks' publication. "How can you possibly say ... that there is no evidence that Mr Assange's publication of WikiLeaks put anyone in danger. That's just pure nonsense," Lewis said. Ellsberg, who was himself charged with breaking the espionage law in a case that was later dismissed, said there was no evidence of physical harm or deaths because of the leaks. The exchange with Lewis led to an outburst from Assange in the courtroom, with the judge warning him to remain silent. Redactions Earlier, John Goetz, an investigative reporter who worked for Germany's Der Spiegel magazine on the first publication of the documents in 2010, said Assange was careful to ensure that the names of informants in hundreds of thousands of leaked secret US government documents were never published. He said the US State Department had been involved in a conference call suggesting redactions, and WikiLeaks had agreed to hold back about 15,000 documents for publication. "There was sensitivity and it was one of the things that was talked about all the time," Goetz told the court. Assange was concerned that the media should take measures "so no one would be harmed", he said. The State Department did not immediately respond when asked to comment on Goetz's testimony. Goetz said WikiLeaks was frustrated when a password that allowed access to the full, unredacted material was published in a book by Guardian reporters in February 2011. Assange's lawyers argue that he would not receive a fair trial in the United States and that the charges are politically motivated. They have also said he would be a suicide risk if sent to the United States, where they say he could be sentenced to 175 years in prison. In 2012, Assange took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was accused of sex crimes, which he denied and which were later dropped. After seven years, he was dragged from the embassy by British police in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail related to the Swedish case. He has remained in prison ever since, after the United States made its extradition request.

WikiLeaks acted in public interest, ‘pentagon papers’ leaker tells Julian Assange hearing 

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is wanted by the United States because he is a "political enemy" of President Donald Trump, his London extradition hearing was told on Wednesday.

Australian-born Assange, 49, is fighting against being sent to the United States, where he is charged with conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.

Paul Rogers, a professor of peace studies at Britain's Bradford University, told London's Old Bailey court that the timing of the U.S. prosecution was connected to Assange's political views and Trump's hostility towards him.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/julian-assange-secretly-fathered-two-children-says-his-partner-292109" hreflang="en">Julian Assange 'secretly fathered two children', says his partner</a>

"The evidence does support very strongly ... this does appear to be a political trial," Rogers said.

Assange and WikiLeaks enraged the U.S. government a decade ago by publishing thousands of secret American documents, but he was not charged with any criminal offence at the time.

His supporters see him as a champion of free speech exposing abuses of power and hypocrisy by Washington and regard his prosecution as threat to journalism. U.S. authorities say he recklessly endangered the lives of sources with his releases.

Rogers said the Trump administration viewed Assange as a "political enemy" because of his opinions. Assange's defence team are arguing the U.S. case is politically-motivated, something which would bar his extradition.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/julian-assange-s-partner-files-bail-plea-seeking-release-of-wikileaks-co-founder-292226" hreflang="en">Julian Assange' s partner files bail plea seeking release of Wikileaks co-founder</a>

"The opinions and views of Mr Assange, demonstrated in his words and actions with the organisation WikiLeaks over many years, can be seen as very clearly placing him in the crosshairs of dispute with the philosophy of the Trump administration," Rogers said in his statement to the court.

James Lewis, the lawyer representing the United States, challenged the assertion the case was politically-motivated, saying U.S. federal prosecutors were forbidden to consider political opinion in making their decisions.

"I'm not saying they are acting in bad faith," Rogers said. "I'm saying that at a different level, a political decision was taken to investigate this further after it had lapsed for eight years."

Assange was warned by the judge on Tuesday he would be removed from the courtroom and tried in his absence if he interrupted proceedings after Assange shouting "nonsense" at Lewis.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is wanted by the United States because he is a "political enemy" of President Donald Trump, his London extradition hearing was told on Wednesday.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is wanted by the United States because he is a "political enemy" of President Donald Trump, his London extradition hearing was told on Wednesday. Australian-born Assange, 49, is fighting against being sent to the United States, where he is charged with conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011. Paul Rogers, a professor of peace studies at Britain's Bradford University, told London's Old Bailey court that the timing of the U.S. prosecution was connected to Assange's political views and Trump's hostility towards him. Also read: Julian Assange 'secretly fathered two children', says his partner "The evidence does support very strongly ... this does appear to be a political trial," Rogers said. Assange and WikiLeaks enraged the U.S. government a decade ago by publishing thousands of secret American documents, but he was not charged with any criminal offence at the time. His supporters see him as a champion of free speech exposing abuses of power and hypocrisy by Washington and regard his prosecution as threat to journalism. U.S. authorities say he recklessly endangered the lives of sources with his releases. Rogers said the Trump administration viewed Assange as a "political enemy" because of his opinions. Assange's defence team are arguing the U.S. case is politically-motivated, something which would bar his extradition. Also read: Julian Assange' s partner files bail plea seeking release of Wikileaks co-founder "The opinions and views of Mr Assange, demonstrated in his words and actions with the organisation WikiLeaks over many years, can be seen as very clearly placing him in the crosshairs of dispute with the philosophy of the Trump administration," Rogers said in his statement to the court. James Lewis, the lawyer representing the United States, challenged the assertion the case was politically-motivated, saying U.S. federal prosecutors were forbidden to consider political opinion in making their decisions. "I'm not saying they are acting in bad faith," Rogers said. "I'm saying that at a different level, a political decision was taken to investigate this further after it had lapsed for eight years." Assange was warned by the judge on Tuesday he would be removed from the courtroom and tried in his absence if he interrupted proceedings after Assange shouting "nonsense" at Lewis.

Trump targeting WikiLeaks' Assange as 'political enemy', UK court told

Lawyers for Assange and the US Government are scheduled to face off in London Monday at an extradition hearing that was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Julian Assange extradition hearing to resume in London

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is slated&nbsp;to fight for his freedom in a UK court after a decade of legal drama.&nbsp;

Lawyers for Assange and the US Government are scheduled to face off in London on Monday. Assange would challenge American authorities' attempt to extradite him on spying charges over the site's publication of secret US Military documents.

The extradition hearing was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 49-year-old Australian has been indicted on 18 espionage and computer misuse charges adding up to a maximum sentence of 175 years. His lawyers say the prosecution is a politically motivated abuse of power that will stifle press freedom and put journalists at risk.

American prosecutors allege that Assange conspired with US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is slated to fight for his freedom in a UK court after a decade of legal drama. Lawyers for Assange and the US Government are scheduled to face off in London on Monday.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is slated to fight for his freedom in a UK court after a decade of legal drama. Lawyers for Assange and the US Government are scheduled to face off in London on Monday. Assange would challenge American authorities' attempt to extradite him on spying charges over the site's publication of secret US Military documents. The extradition hearing was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The 49-year-old Australian has been indicted on 18 espionage and computer misuse charges adding up to a maximum sentence of 175 years. His lawyers say the prosecution is a politically motivated abuse of power that will stifle press freedom and put journalists at risk. American prosecutors allege that Assange conspired with US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

WikiLeaks' Assange to fight US extradition bid in UK court

Stella Moris, Julian Assange' s partner with whom he fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, filed a bail plea in a UK court to seek the release of the Wikileaks co-founder amid growing health fears due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stella Moris, who gave birth to Gabriel, 3, and Max, 1, after what she said was a strong intellectual and emotional bond developed with Assange, said there were now genuine fears for his health as he remains behind bars at Belmarsh prison in London fighting extradition to the US on espionage charges.

Moris, 37, a South Africa-born lawyer, issued a plea for Assange to be released from prison.

"My close relationship with Julian has been the opposite of how he is viewed of the reserve, respect for each other and attempts to shield each other from some of the nightmares that have surrounded our lives together," notes Moris, according to a Sunday Telegraph' report.

In a statement to the courts supporting an application for bail, the newspaper says that Moris reveals that she met Assange in 2011 when she was a legal researcher and was asked to look into Swedish legal theory and practice.

"Over time Julian and I developed a strong intellectual and emotional bond. He became my best friend and I become him," she writes.

The friendship developed, and despite the "extraordinary circumstances", a close relationship began in 2015.

The lawyer said she was making the statement now because their lives were "on the brink" and she feared Assange could die as he is in isolation for 23 hours a day and all visits have stopped.

Stella Moris, Julian Assange' s partner with whom he fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, filed a bail plea in a UK court to seek the release of the Wikileaks co-founder amid growing health fears due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stella Moris, Julian Assange' s partner with whom he fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, filed a bail plea in a UK court to seek the release of the Wikileaks co-founder amid growing health fears due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stella Moris, who gave birth to Gabriel, 3, and Max, 1, after what she said was a strong intellectual and emotional bond developed with Assange, said there were now genuine fears for his health as he remains behind bars at Belmarsh prison in London fighting extradition to the US on espionage charges. Moris, 37, a South Africa-born lawyer, issued a plea for Assange to be released from prison. "My close relationship with Julian has been the opposite of how he is viewed of the reserve, respect for each other and attempts to shield each other from some of the nightmares that have surrounded our lives together," notes Moris, according to a Sunday Telegraph' report. In a statement to the courts supporting an application for bail, the newspaper says that Moris reveals that she met Assange in 2011 when she was a legal researcher and was asked to look into Swedish legal theory and practice. "Over time Julian and I developed a strong intellectual and emotional bond. He became my best friend and I become him," she writes. The friendship developed, and despite the "extraordinary circumstances", a close relationship began in 2015. The lawyer said she was making the statement now because their lives were "on the brink" and she feared Assange could die as he is in isolation for 23 hours a day and all visits have stopped.

Julian Assange' s partner files bail plea seeking release of Wikileaks co-founder

Julian Assange secretly fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, his partner has revealed as she filed a bail plea in a UK court to seek the release of the Wikileaks co-founder amid growing health fears due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stella Moris, who gave birth to Gabriel, 3, and Max, 1, after what she said was a strong intellectual and emotional bond developed with Assange, said there were now genuine fears for his health as he remains behind bars at Belmarsh prison in London fighting extradition to the US on espionage charges.

Moris, 37, a South Africa-born lawyer, issued a plea for Assange to be released from prison. 
"My close relationship with Julian has been the opposite of how he is viewed of reserve, respect for each other and attempts to shield each other from some of the nightmares that have surrounded our lives together," notes Moris, according to a Sunday Telegraph' report.

In a statement to the courts supporting an application for bail, the newspaper says that Moris reveals that she met Assange in 2011 when she was a legal researcher, and was asked to look into Swedish legal theory and practice.

"Over time Julian and I developed a strong intellectual and emotional bond. He became my best friend and I become his," she writes.

The friendship developed, and despite the "extraordinary circumstances", a close relationship began in 2015. The lawyer said she was making the statement now because their lives were "on the brink" and she feared Assange could die as he is in isolation for 23 hours a day and all visits have stopped.

Assange's extradition hearing is fixed for May 18 after a judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London rejected calls for an adjournment until September over what his legal team said were "insuperable" difficulties preparing his case because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charges against Assange under the US Espionage Act accuse him of soliciting and publishing classified information and conspiring to hack into a government computer. Assange has consistently denied the allegations and his supporters have accused the US and UK governments of an attack on free speech.

The 48-year-old Wikileaks co-founder had to serve a sentence in Britain for breach of his bail conditions after he spent seven years at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he had sought asylum in 2012, which was withdrawn in April last year.

 
&nbsp;

Julian Assange secretly fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, his partner has revealed as she filed a bail plea in a UK court to seek the release of the Wikileaks co-founder amid growing health fears due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Julian Assange secretly fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, his partner has revealed as she filed a bail plea in a UK court to seek the release of the Wikileaks co-founder amid growing health fears due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stella Moris, who gave birth to Gabriel, 3, and Max, 1, after what she said was a strong intellectual and emotional bond developed with Assange, said there were now genuine fears for his health as he remains behind bars at Belmarsh prison in London fighting extradition to the US on espionage charges. Moris, 37, a South Africa-born lawyer, issued a plea for Assange to be released from prison. "My close relationship with Julian has been the opposite of how he is viewed of reserve, respect for each other and attempts to shield each other from some of the nightmares that have surrounded our lives together," notes Moris, according to a Sunday Telegraph' report. In a statement to the courts supporting an application for bail, the newspaper says that Moris reveals that she met Assange in 2011 when she was a legal researcher, and was asked to look into Swedish legal theory and practice. "Over time Julian and I developed a strong intellectual and emotional bond. He became my best friend and I become his," she writes. The friendship developed, and despite the "extraordinary circumstances", a close relationship began in 2015. The lawyer said she was making the statement now because their lives were "on the brink" and she feared Assange could die as he is in isolation for 23 hours a day and all visits have stopped. Assange's extradition hearing is fixed for May 18 after a judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London rejected calls for an adjournment until September over what his legal team said were "insuperable" difficulties preparing his case because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The charges against Assange under the US Espionage Act accuse him of soliciting and publishing classified information and conspiring to hack into a government computer. Assange has consistently denied the allegations and his supporters have accused the US and UK governments of an attack on free speech. The 48-year-old Wikileaks co-founder had to serve a sentence in Britain for breach of his bail conditions after he spent seven years at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he had sought asylum in 2012, which was withdrawn in April last year.

Julian Assange 'secretly fathered two children', says his partner

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied bail after his lawyers tried to get him out from behind bars because of the increasing risk of&nbsp;coronavirus.

Assange was denied bail after arguing that his release from a UK prison would mitigate his ''high risk''&nbsp;of catching coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-founder-assanges-lawyers-to-apply-for-bail-citing-coronavirus-risk-288244">Wikileaks founder Assange's lawyers to apply for bail, citing coronavirus risk</a>

British district Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that Assange had absconded before and said that Belmarsh prison is following government guidelines to protect detainees with no confirmed virus cases there yet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assanges-uk-extradition-hearing-paused-until-may-283401">Julian Assange's UK extradition hearing paused until May</a>

“As matters stand today this global pandemic does not, of itself, yet provide grounds for Mr Assange’s release,” Judge Baraitser said.

She also expressed concern&nbsp;that was based on Assange’s past conduct, there are ''substantial grounds''&nbsp;to believe that if released he would not return to face his extradition hearing.

The Australian citizen's US extradition trial began in February after a US grand jury indicted Assange on 18 charges - 17 of which fall under the Espionage Act.

These included conspiracy to receive, obtain and disclose classified diplomatic and military documents.&nbsp;

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied bail after his lawyers tried to get him out from behind bars because of the increasing risk of coronavirus. Assange was denied bail after arguing that his release from a UK prison would mitigate his ''high risk'' of catching coronavirus.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied bail after his lawyers tried to get him out from behind bars because of the increasing risk of coronavirus. Assange was denied bail after arguing that his release from a UK prison would mitigate his ''high risk'' of catching coronavirus. Also read: Wikileaks founder Assange's lawyers to apply for bail, citing coronavirus risk British district Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that Assange had absconded before and said that Belmarsh prison is following government guidelines to protect detainees with no confirmed virus cases there yet. Also read: Julian Assange's UK extradition hearing paused until May “As matters stand today this global pandemic does not, of itself, yet provide grounds for Mr Assange’s release,” Judge Baraitser said. She also expressed concern that was based on Assange’s past conduct, there are ''substantial grounds'' to believe that if released he would not return to face his extradition hearing. The Australian citizen's US extradition trial began in February after a US grand jury indicted Assange on 18 charges - 17 of which fall under the Espionage Act. These included conspiracy to receive, obtain and disclose classified diplomatic and military documents.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange denied bail post citing 'high coronavirus risk'

Julian&nbsp;Assange's lawyers will apply for his release on bail because of the risk of contracting coronavirus while in prison, Wikileaks said on Monday.

The Wikileaks founder is being held at a prison in London on an extradition warrant for publishing classified information about the Iraq and Afghan wars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assanges-uk-extradition-hearing-paused-until-may-283401">Julian Assange's UK extradition hearing paused until May</a>

"On Wednesday, 25th of March, Julian&nbsp;Assange's lawyers will make a bail application at Westminster Magistrates Court," Wikileaks said in a statement.

The Australian is being held at Britain’s most notorious prison, Belmarsh in southeast London, which holds around 800 prisoners. His US&nbsp;extradition trial began in February and was adjourned until May 18.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/lawyer-to-court-julian-assange-stripped-naked-and-handcuffed-282750">Lawyer to court: Julian Assange stripped naked and handcuffed</a>

Assange is wanted in the United States on charges that he conspired to obtain and disclose classified documents passed to him by former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

Last week his mother, Christine Assange, said her son should be released because he is a ''low-risk prisoner''&nbsp;who hasn’t been convicted of a crime.

Julian Assange's lawyers will apply for his release on bail because of the risk of contracting coronavirus while in prison, Wikileaks said on Monday. The Wikileaks founder is being held at a prison in London on an extradition warrant for publishing classified information about the Iraq and Afghan wars.

Julian Assange's lawyers will apply for his release on bail because of the risk of contracting coronavirus while in prison, Wikileaks said on Monday. The Wikileaks founder is being held at a prison in London on an extradition warrant for publishing classified information about the Iraq and Afghan wars. Also read: Julian Assange's UK extradition hearing paused until May "On Wednesday, 25th of March, Julian Assange's lawyers will make a bail application at Westminster Magistrates Court," Wikileaks said in a statement. The Australian is being held at Britain’s most notorious prison, Belmarsh in southeast London, which holds around 800 prisoners. His US extradition trial began in February and was adjourned until May 18. Also read: Lawyer to court: Julian Assange stripped naked and handcuffed Assange is wanted in the United States on charges that he conspired to obtain and disclose classified documents passed to him by former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. Last week his mother, Christine Assange, said her son should be released because he is a ''low-risk prisoner'' who hasn’t been convicted of a crime.

Wikileaks founder Assange's lawyers to apply for bail, citing coronavirus risk

A British judge on Thursday paused Julian Assange's extradition hearing following four days of intense legal wrangling over Washington's request for the WikiLeaks founder to stand trial there on espionage charges.&nbsp;

Judge Vanessa Baraitser, who will ultimately rule on the controversial case, ordered the legal teams for the 48-year-old Australian and the US government to reconvene for briefcase management hearings in March and April.

The full extradition hearing is then set to resume for three weeks in mid-May, when witnesses will be called and cross-examined, with an eventual ruling expected by August at the latest.

The judge refused a request Thursday by Assange's lawyers to let him sit with his defence team, and not in the secure glass-walled dock area of the courtroom when the hearing resumes.

The one-time hacker has repeatedly stood up and interrupted this week's proceedings to complain about being unable to hear the arguments or confer confidentially with his lawyers.

"I'm not able to guide them," Assange said Thursday, in his latest courtroom outburst -- which Baraitser has repeatedly advised him against making.

Arguing the current set-up could impinge on Assange's right to a fair hearing, defence lawyer Mark Summers invited the judge to "permit him confidential, discreet access to his lawyers" by letting him sit alongside them.

"Someone can be in custody in this room without being in that glass cabin," he said.

But Baraitser refused the application, arguing various "sensible, proportionate measures" -- such as Assange passing notes to his team and requesting regular breaks -- would ensure he could participate.

"It's quite apparent to me... that you've had no difficulty at all attracting the attention of your legal team," she said.&nbsp;

'Lies and more lies'

Assange faces charges under the US Espionage Act for the 2010 release of a trove of secret files detailing aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as a single computer hacking charge.

He spent much of the past decade holed up in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault -- since dropped -- that he and his supporters argue were politically motivated.

His extradition hearing inside Woolwich Crown Court, next to the high-security Belmarsh prison where Assange is being held, began on Monday.&nbsp;

Making the US government case, lawyer James Lewis accused the WikiLeaks founder of risking the lives of intelligence sources by publishing the classified US government documents.

He also detailed the US claims that Assange helped US intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before recklessly releasing them.&nbsp;

In response, lawyers for Assange argued the charges were "political", and that his extradition would violate international law and numerous treaties.

They also accused the United States of "boldly and blatantly" misstating facts about his conduct, calling some of their claims "lies, lies and more lies".

A ruling against Assange could see him jailed for 175 years if convicted on all 17 US Espionage Act charges and the hacking count.

A British judge on Thursday paused Julian Assange's extradition hearing following four days of intense legal wrangling over Washington's request for the WikiLeaks founder to stand trial there on espionage charges.

A British judge on Thursday paused Julian Assange's extradition hearing following four days of intense legal wrangling over Washington's request for the WikiLeaks founder to stand trial there on espionage charges. Judge Vanessa Baraitser, who will ultimately rule on the controversial case, ordered the legal teams for the 48-year-old Australian and the US government to reconvene for briefcase management hearings in March and April. The full extradition hearing is then set to resume for three weeks in mid-May, when witnesses will be called and cross-examined, with an eventual ruling expected by August at the latest. The judge refused a request Thursday by Assange's lawyers to let him sit with his defence team, and not in the secure glass-walled dock area of the courtroom when the hearing resumes. The one-time hacker has repeatedly stood up and interrupted this week's proceedings to complain about being unable to hear the arguments or confer confidentially with his lawyers. "I'm not able to guide them," Assange said Thursday, in his latest courtroom outburst -- which Baraitser has repeatedly advised him against making. Arguing the current set-up could impinge on Assange's right to a fair hearing, defence lawyer Mark Summers invited the judge to "permit him confidential, discreet access to his lawyers" by letting him sit alongside them. "Someone can be in custody in this room without being in that glass cabin," he said. But Baraitser refused the application, arguing various "sensible, proportionate measures" -- such as Assange passing notes to his team and requesting regular breaks -- would ensure he could participate. "It's quite apparent to me... that you've had no difficulty at all attracting the attention of your legal team," she said. 'Lies and more lies' Assange faces charges under the US Espionage Act for the 2010 release of a trove of secret files detailing aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as a single computer hacking charge. He spent much of the past decade holed up in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault -- since dropped -- that he and his supporters argue were politically motivated. His extradition hearing inside Woolwich Crown Court, next to the high-security Belmarsh prison where Assange is being held, began on Monday. Making the US government case, lawyer James Lewis accused the WikiLeaks founder of risking the lives of intelligence sources by publishing the classified US government documents. He also detailed the US claims that Assange helped US intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal the documents before recklessly releasing them. In response, lawyers for Assange argued the charges were "political", and that his extradition would violate international law and numerous treaties. They also accused the United States of "boldly and blatantly" misstating facts about his conduct, calling some of their claims "lies, lies and more lies". A ruling against Assange could see him jailed for 175 years if convicted on all 17 US Espionage Act charges and the hacking count.

Julian Assange's UK extradition hearing paused until May

Veteran musician Roger Waters, the guitarist of Pink Floyd, joined hundred&nbsp;others in a protest march on Saturday, February 22 to demand the release of jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.&nbsp; 
 
While addressing the crowd, Waters attempted to put Assange's persecution in a global context, making references to India's protest against CAA as well as mentioning unrest in countries like Chile, Lebanon, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina and France.&nbsp; 
 
“Julian is why we are here today, but this is no parochial protest. We are today part of a global movement, a global movement that might be the beginning of the global enlightenment that this fragile planet so desperately needs,” the musician said.&nbsp; 
 
Waters then recited the English translation of Aamir Aziz's ‘Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega’, introducing him as “a young poet and activist in Delhi'.&nbsp;

He recited:

“Kill us, we will become ghosts and write 
of your killings, with all the evidence. 
You write jokes in court; 
We will write ‘justice’ on the walls. 
We will speak so loudly that even the deaf will hear. 
We will write so clearly that even the blind will read. 
You write ‘injustice’ on the earth; 
We will write ‘revolution’ in the sky. 
Everything will be remembered; 
Everything recorded.”

A writer, actor and musician, Aamir Aziz is best known for his song ‘Achhe Din Blues’. The song has over 200,000 views on YouTube since its release in March last year.

Veteran musician Roger Waters, the guitarist of Pink Floyd, joined hundred others in a protest march on Saturday, February 22 to demand the release of jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Veteran musician Roger Waters, the guitarist of Pink Floyd, joined hundred others in a protest march on Saturday, February 22 to demand the release of jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. While addressing the crowd, Waters attempted to put Assange's persecution in a global context, making references to India's protest against CAA as well as mentioning unrest in countries like Chile, Lebanon, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina and France. “Julian is why we are here today, but this is no parochial protest. We are today part of a global movement, a global movement that might be the beginning of the global enlightenment that this fragile planet so desperately needs,” the musician said. Waters then recited the English translation of Aamir Aziz's ‘Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega’, introducing him as “a young poet and activist in Delhi'. He recited: “Kill us, we will become ghosts and write of your killings, with all the evidence. You write jokes in court; We will write ‘justice’ on the walls. We will speak so loudly that even the deaf will hear. We will write so clearly that even the blind will read. You write ‘injustice’ on the earth; We will write ‘revolution’ in the sky. Everything will be remembered; Everything recorded.” A writer, actor and musician, Aamir Aziz is best known for his song ‘Achhe Din Blues’. The song has over 200,000 views on YouTube since its release in March last year.

Pink Floyd's Roger Waters recites Delhi poet Aamir Aziz's ‘Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega’ at a protest march in London

Julian Assange was stripped naked twice and handcuffed 11 times coming and going from the court, the WikiLeaks founder's lawyer told his US extradition hearing in London on Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-war-on-journalists-behind-julian-assanges-extradition-bid-lawyer-282675">Trump's 'war on journalists' behind Julian Assange's extradition bid: Lawyer</a>

Assange faces charges under the US Espionage Act for the 2010 release of a trove of files detailing the realities of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pink-floyd-co-founder-joins-assange-supporters-in-london-protest-march-282259">Pink Floyd co-founder joins Assange supporters in London protest march</a>

"Yesterday, Mr Assange was handcuffed 11 times, stripped naked twice at Belmarsh and put in five separate holding cells," his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald said on Tuesday.

He warned that Assange's treatment could "impinge on these proceedings" and asked judge Vanessa Baraitser to give "an indication to prison authorities" that the regime should be relaxed.

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Baraitser said it was a matter for prison officials, saying she did not have the authority to instruct them on how to treat detainees.

She added that she would expect Assange to be treated fairly and like anyone else.

The 48-year-old Australian is being held at the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London during the extradition process.

His full extradition hearing, which opened on Monday, is taking place at the court buildings next to the jail.

Assange wore a grey blazer and a sweater over a collared shirt in court.

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He occasionally spoke to his lawyers through the gaps in the glass panels of the dock.

Assange spent much of the past decade holed up in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid separate legal proceedings in Sweden, but Washington is now seeking his transfer to stand trial.

WikiLeaks initially worked with a string of high-profile newspapers to publish details from the leaked State Department and Pentagon files, which caused a sensation -- and outrage in Washington.

On Monday, a lawyer for the United States accused him of risking the lives of intelligence sources by publishing classified US government documents.

Fitzgerald has argued that the US charges are "politically motivated".

Assange could be jailed for 175 years if convicted on all 17 Espionage Act charges and one count of computer hacking that he faces.

The hearings will last all week then reconvene in May

Julian Assange was stripped naked twice and handcuffed 11 times coming and going from the court, the WikiLeaks founder's lawyer told his US extradition hearing in London on Tuesday.

Julian Assange was stripped naked twice and handcuffed 11 times coming and going from the court, the WikiLeaks founder's lawyer told his US extradition hearing in London on Tuesday. Also read: Trump's 'war on journalists' behind Julian Assange's extradition bid: Lawyer Assange faces charges under the US Espionage Act for the 2010 release of a trove of files detailing the realities of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also read: Pink Floyd co-founder joins Assange supporters in London protest march "Yesterday, Mr Assange was handcuffed 11 times, stripped naked twice at Belmarsh and put in five separate holding cells," his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald said on Tuesday. He warned that Assange's treatment could "impinge on these proceedings" and asked judge Vanessa Baraitser to give "an indication to prison authorities" that the regime should be relaxed. × Baraitser said it was a matter for prison officials, saying she did not have the authority to instruct them on how to treat detainees. She added that she would expect Assange to be treated fairly and like anyone else. The 48-year-old Australian is being held at the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London during the extradition process. His full extradition hearing, which opened on Monday, is taking place at the court buildings next to the jail. Assange wore a grey blazer and a sweater over a collared shirt in court. × He occasionally spoke to his lawyers through the gaps in the glass panels of the dock. Assange spent much of the past decade holed up in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid separate legal proceedings in Sweden, but Washington is now seeking his transfer to stand trial. WikiLeaks initially worked with a string of high-profile newspapers to publish details from the leaked State Department and Pentagon files, which caused a sensation -- and outrage in Washington. On Monday, a lawyer for the United States accused him of risking the lives of intelligence sources by publishing classified US government documents. Fitzgerald has argued that the US charges are "politically motivated". Assange could be jailed for 175 years if convicted on all 17 Espionage Act charges and one count of computer hacking that he faces. The hearings will last all week then reconvene in May

Lawyer to court: Julian Assange stripped naked and handcuffed

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