An extradition to the USA must be prevented, according to the ÖJC, which, according to its own statements, has been “actively and intensively” working for the release of the journalist for years. The ÖJC stated that the suppression of freedom of speech, of the press and of opinion in connection with the “uncovering of the most serious crimes” should never be tolerated in a constitutional state. “It is with great concern that we note that Assange’s physical and mental health has deteriorated sharply since his stroke in late October 2021,” the letter said.
Assange has been in solitary confinement in London’s maximum-security Belmarsh prison for over a thousand days, it has been argued. “His detention is arbitrary and solely for political reasons. The British conditions of detention contradict all legal standards. Assange is not only denied access to the media, but even to his own trial files. In addition, it must not be overlooked that if he is extradited to the USA completely unjustly threatened with up to 175 years in prison.”
The US judiciary wants to put Assange on trial for allegations of espionage. The native Australian faces up to 175 years in prison if convicted. He is accused of having stolen and published secret material from US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan together with whistleblower Chelsea Manning, thereby endangering the lives of US informants.
His supporters, on the other hand, see him as an investigative journalist who has brought war crimes to light and who is now to be made an example of. The 50-year-old has been incarcerated in London’s Belmarsh high-security prison for almost three years.
At the beginning of last year, a British court in the first instance prohibited the extradition of Assange because of his mental health. The judge argued at the time that the expected prison conditions would otherwise drive the mentally unstable Assange to suicide. Otherwise, she found the extradition request to be justified.
In the appeal process, Washington then presented assurances that Assange would be treated humanely in US prisons – and was successful in doing so at the end of last year: the High Court lifted the extradition ban. Assange’s lawyers now want the Supreme Court to review this decision. A UK High Court decision made public on Monday said Assange could appeal the extradition order to the UK Supreme Court.
Source: Nachrichten
