Lawyers for Julian Assange have lodged a bail application for the WikiLeaks co-founder that will be heard on Wednesday (25th of March). Mr Assange’s lawyers are arguing that he is in immediate danger of contracting the coronavirus whilst in Belmarsh prison. Mr Assange, an Australian national has been held in Belmarsh since his arrest in April 2019. Mr Assange’s bail hearing will be heard at Westminster Magistrates court.
The Prison Officers Association trade union revealed only last week that over 100 prison staff and 75 prisoners across the UK were in isolation after showing Covid-19 symptoms. As of Tuesday morning, one prisoner has tested positive for the virus in Manchester. Assange’s lawyers are using these details to argue that he is in imminent danger from Coronavirus spreading through the prison population and should be released for his and other prisoners and staff safety. Prior to Mr Assange’s trial in February this year, 117 doctors signed a letter published a letter in the Lancet medical journal calling for the urgent release of Assange amid concerns over his deteriorating health.
Last night via Twitter Julian Assange’s mother Christine stated “ UPDATE on Julian #Assange *My son is in “imminent danger” from #COVIDー19 *He has chronic lung condition *Word Health Org warns prisoners at increased risk *200 doctors urge his from Belmarsh Prison *Lawyers to file “emergency bail application”. Mrs Assange then, via a tweet, cited a comment piece from the Guardian accompanied with the caption “UK Prisons Audit Report: ‘UK prisons not meeting min standards of cleanliness & infection control’ ‘#CoronaVirus is a disaster for UK Prisons. Releasing the harmless will save lives’ Release my sick, uncharged journalist son Julian NOW!”.
Yesterday, as announced by the Governor of the state, the American state of new Jersey has announced it will release what it calls “low risk” inmates in its county jails, it cites the “incubation of disease” as the reason for this.
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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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