Tory leadership contender and current home Secretary Sajid Javid announced today that he has already signed and certified Julian Assange’s extradition papers and that the matter is now in the hands of courts. This is likely to be the start of a lengthy legal battle as to whether the former WikiLeaks founder should face prosecution for espionage, hacking and rape.
On the 11th of April tHis year Mr Assange, who was residing at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, was forcibly removed after a change of leadership in Ecuador. Julian Assange had domiciled in the Ecuadorian embassy since entering the embassy on the 19th of June 2012 claiming diplomatic asylum. Following his arrest Mr Assange has been in British prison awaiting results on extradition, although he was too unwell to attend a court hearing via video link on the 30th of May.
Just this morning Sajid Javid used his appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme to announce that he has signed Julian Assange‘s extradition papers . Mr Javid stated for the nation to hear “The final decision is now with the courts. I want to see justice done and we have a legitimate extradition request.” However, the current home secretary was unsure as to whether he would be extradited to the US or Sweden. Mr Javid finished by saying “There an extradition request from the US that is before the courts tomorrow but yesterday I signed the extradition order and certified it and that will be going in front of the courts tomorrow.” This could see Mr Assange extradited to the US which many in the UK oppose.
It has been reported by a UN official called Nils Melzer that Mr Assange has been the victim of cruel punishment inside Belmarsh prison as well as torture. Mr Melzer’s testimony comes as a result of his visit to Mr Assange and he says he “showed all symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety and intense psychological trauma” and that the evidence is overwhelming and clear.” This damning evidence comes from a specialist in international law at the university of Glasgow.
Julian Assange is currently serving a 50-week jail term for skipping bail for almost 7 years. However, just last month the US Justice department filed 17 new charges against Julian Assange for hacking into a Pentagon computer. He is also wanted in Sweden on allegations of rape. However, it could look to do this with a European arrest warrant. Mr Assange denies these allegations. Many have reacted to Mr Assange’s charges in relation to WikiLeaks with grave concerns about freedom of speech around the world.
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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