06 Dec Julian Assange plea for extradition hearing delay denied
WikiLeaks co-founder Mr. Julian Assange arrives for his first court appearance since his April arrest. The 48-year old Australian Journalist appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on the 21st of October 2019.
Having leaked thousands of confidential Pentagon files and names of information suppliers in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, he faces US Federal conspiracy charges for leaking government secrets.
When asked by Judge Vanessa Baraitser , Mr. Assange quoted his full name and date of birth, he was complying in court but also appeared disorderly upon entry.
Speaking on his defence; Mr. Assange insists he has no access to his work at the prison medical ward he was detained in. With claims that the conditions he’s being kept in are unbearable, he mentions that “It’s very difficult where I am”.
Australian human rights lawyer Ms. Jennifer Robinson put forward a plea for an extradition hearing delay of three months to “gather more evidence”, implying he needs more time to prepare his case. However, it has been denied by the judge.
“I don’t understand how this is equitable”, Mr. Assange said as he insisted he failed to understand the judicial outcome.
Whilst the hearing was taking place, hundreds of supporters protested outside the court for his release.
He is facing 17 charges of spying and 1 charge of computer hacking, which can carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in the US if found guilty.
The trial continues where a full extradition hearing will be taking place in February of 2020.
