The Wikileaks founder’s extradition has been denied by UK Judge
Today, Julian Assange’s extradition to the US has been blocked by UK District Judge Vanessa Baraitser due to concerns over his mental health and risk of suicide in the US. She stated that:
“Faced with the conditions of near total isolation without the protective factors which limited his risk at HMP Belmarsh, I am satisfied the procedures described by the US will not prevent Mr Assange from finding a way to commit suicide and for this reason I have decided extradition would be oppressive by reason of mental harm and I order his discharge.”
Her ruling marks an important time to reflect on the brutality of the US prison system.
Just heard the news that the judge ruled against Julian Assange's extradition to the US. The US government will, of course, appeal. So, though Julian is not safe, yet, a ray of hope seems to have pierced a long, dark shadow over human decency and press freedom.
— Yanis Varoufakis (@yanisvaroufakis) January 4, 2021
Although this is great news, journalists such as Glenn Greenwald and Stefania Maurizi remain concerned about how the case is being framed by the judge, and how US talking points are infiltrating the rulings. Indeed, most of the judge’s remarks supported the prosecution, as she has shockingly said that there is ‘no public interest defense’, journalistic defense or political opinion defense in this case.
Today is the best day of 2021, but please don't forget the #Assange extradition is denied on mental health grounds, not because he is a publisher wanted by war criminals. The fight continues!
— Srećko Horvat (@HorvatSrecko) January 4, 2021
It's not the judge who saved #Assange from extradition, it is each and everyone of you! Throughout all these difficult years it is your support that meant the most to him, his family and that finally brought us to this historic day. Celebrate, but keep fighting! pic.twitter.com/G4I9BfKMr6
— Srećko Horvat (@HorvatSrecko) January 4, 2021
DiEMers across Europe have been protesting today, and it’s important to keep supporting the cause as the full details emerge.
Wow. @wikileaks founder #Assange extradition denied on mental health grounds – suicide prevention grounds. The battle continues. He must be released on bail, immediately. Please consider to donate to his defence fund, the appeal will be hard. https://t.co/Bs4l2AgXJQ
— Renata Avila (@avilarenata) January 4, 2021
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture @nilsmelzer talks to German State Broadcaster @dwnews on todays Assange decision: "Only when I started to look into pieces of evidence – I saw that the whole narrative that had been spread about Assange for so long – was not supported by evidence" https://t.co/6saCIphxcJ
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 4, 2021
Julian Assange Partner Stella Moris: "Julian’s freedom is tied to all of our freedoms — Free Julian, Free the Press, Free us all" #AssangeCase @StellaMoris1 pic.twitter.com/gPXlpaBzWb
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 4, 2021
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