British Judge Dashes Assange Hopes For Freedom
A British judge on Tuesday upheld a UK arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, leaving his legal position unchanged after more than five years inside the Ecuadorean Embassy.
Judge Emma Arbuthnot rejected a call from Assange’s lawyers for the warrant to be revoked because he is no longer wanted for questioning in Sweden. “I am not persuaded the warrant should be withdrawn,” Arbuthnot told lawyers, journalists, and Assange supporters gathered at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court, reports the AP.
Swedish prosecutors dropped the case last year, but Assange is still subject to a British arrest warrant for jumping bail in 2012. Had the judge ruled in Assange’s favor, he would have been free to leave the embassy without being arrested on the British warrant.
Read: Trump’s UK Visit Canceled Amid Fear of Massive Protests
Assange has been holed up in the Ecuador Embassy in London since he took refuge there in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden. Swedish prosecutors were investigating allegations of sexual assault and rape made by two women in 2010.
Earlier this month, Ecuador said it had granted the Australian-born hacker citizenship, as the South American country tried to unblock the stalemate that has kept Assange as its houseguest for five-and-a-half years.
Ecuador also asked Britain to grant him diplomatic status. Britain refused, saying “the way to resolve this issue is for Julian Assange to leave the embassy to face justice.”
Assange suspects there’s a secret US indictment against him for WikiLeaks’ publication of leaked classified American documents, and that the US authorities will seek his extradition.
In addition to his troubles, doctors say his physical health is suffering.
Via Newser.
About Post Author
Professor Mike
More Stories
What in the World Happened to the Ginger Kitten?
The abrupt sound of multiple barks pierced the stillness of the night. It was an unsettling deviation from their customary...
Warning: Be Careful When Walking Your Dog In Alligator Country
Mike McCoy has read up a bit on alligator attacks and he knew what to do if you find yourself in one—and good thing too.
MadMikesAmerica To Remain Open For Business
We are staying open. MMA may not be as active as it once was, but why close this one, with all those articles still available to read, and maybe more to come?
Fox News Guest: Ghoulish Trump Has Blood On His Hands
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) told Fox News on Sunday that former President Donald Trump is guilty of a “ghoulish” attempt to undermine the economy by downplaying the need for Covid-19 vaccinations.
Disgusting Ted Cruz Forgets History of Conservatives Like Elvis Promoting Vaccines
Recently, the beloved Sesame Street character Big Bird went on television and social media to promote COVID-19 vaccines. For anyone who has been conscious for at least a few years, celebrities—especially ones with larger fanbases amongst the youth of the country—promoting public health initiatives is not surprising. It has been going on forever and ever.
Crazy Louie Gohmert: Climate Action Would Force Us To Brush Our Teeth With Bark
[caption id="attachment_187456" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Getty images[/caption] by Aldous J. Pennyfarthing How the hell did Republican Louie Gohmert of Texas ever become...
Assange angered ‘those in charge’ so they’re determined to get him.
Trump would not do shit to him, since he did him a solid helping leak all that stuff during the campaign.
You are exactly right!