Julian Assange extradition deadline tonight

07/07/2012

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Wikileaks founder Julian Assange remains holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy, in London, UK. Wanted for alleged sex crimes in Sweden Assange maintains that the charges are simply an excuse to get him out of the UK. Once in Sweden Julian fears he will be shipped to the US to face whatever. The US wants Assange in regard to Wikileaks. The US authorities claim that he made the cables public breaking the law, whilst others praise him for at least allowing the general public to see some of what really goes on.

You only need to cast a glance at the controversial Guantanamo Bay ot Gitmo to see the terrible track record the US as far as Human Rights and legal recourse goes. President Obama pledged to close Gitmo but this week it was announced that more money would be pumped into the establishment.

When Assange's legal challenges to his extradition failed he took refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy on June 19 2012, and there he has stayed. An Australian, Assange has been refused help by most countries. Ecuador may be his last chance.

The deadline for his extradition is midnight tonight, July 7, 2012. UK authorities though will not be able to arrest Assange unless he leaves the embassy, either voluntarily or forcibly. If he stays put he will remain in violation of bis bail but that will be a more serious concern for those who stumped up money to support Assange. He may feel that he has nothing to lose.

Sweden do expect some movement after the deadline but what that can be is hard to ascertain. Ecuador continues to say that it is considering his appeal for sanctuary and citizenship which will leave the authorities powerless.

Supporters of Assange claim that the US justice system has Grand Jury plans in the offing, simply waiting for Assange to be extradited to Sweden.

Related reading:
http://www.wherebuttheuk.com/1/post/2012/05/julian-assange-extradition-appeal-fails.html
http://www.tekjournalismuk.com/1/post/2012/06/julian-assange-faces-arrest.html

Tags: Julian Assange, Julian Assange extradition, Ecuador Embassy,  Assage sanctuary, Sweden, US, wikileaks
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Julian Assange faces arrest

20/06/2012

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Wikieaks founder Julian Assange is wanted in Sweden for alleged sexual crimes which occurred almost two years ago. He stands charged of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion, involving two women. Mr Assange has denied any wrong doing and has continued to fight his extradition.

If the allegations are true the two women have been badly let down by the justice system. If they are not Mr Assange could find himself caught in an ever increasing web.

It is no secret that the USA would like to get their hands on Assange. His published wikileaks revealed far more than US officials wanted as public knowledge. One casualty of this affair has been Bradley Manning. His fate remains uncertain.

Assange has continued to maintain that the allegations from Sweden are all a ploy. Once in Sweden he thinks the US will easily be able to move him to that country. Either that or he will face a long sentece in Sweden for something he claims he did not do.

The latest twist in Mr Assanges complicated and controversial llfe happened last night, June 19, 2012, when he entered the Equadorean Embassy in London. His reason for doing so was to request asylum.

In doing so he breached his bail conditions and now faces arrest by UK police should he leave the building.  Officials at the embassy have said that they must give Assange's request the necssary attention. This is common practice in embassies. Assange could have waitied until a time of day when he had some freedom but he choose to enter the embassy at night.

Recently Julian had interviewed the leader of Equador as part of his new role on RT, Russia Today. Is this when he conceived the plan? How safe he would be in Equador is uncertain.

The Guardian has reported "Brita Sundberg-Weitman, a former head judge at a district court in Solna, a Stockholm suburb, who gave evidence in Assange's appeal against extradition in the UK courts, said she feared Assange's decision to seek refuge in Ecuador was misguided. "I can understand that Assange is afraid of being sent from Sweden to the US, but I am not sure it will turn out well for him," she said."I don't know what his situation would be if he really landed in Ecuador and whether he would be safe. If you think of the policy of the Obama administration to kill whoever the president considers a terrorist wherever they are in the world."

Last week Assange's appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected. This meant that extradition was imminent. Perhaps seeking asylum was simply a last ditch effort of a desperate man? Then again it could have been more contrived.
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