Assange Loses Court Bid Against Extradition

Assange Loses Court Bid Against Extradition


11:00am UK, Wednesday November 02, 2011

WikiLeaks boss Julian Assange has lost his High Court bid to block his extradition to Sweden to face sex crime allegations.
Two judges rejected the argument made by his lawyers that the extradition would be "unfair and unlawful".

The 40-year-old is wanted in Sweden to answer accusations of "raping" one woman and "sexually molesting and coercing" another in Stockholm in August last year.

Assange, whose website has embarrassed governments and businesses by publishing leaked diplomatic cables, denies the allegations and claims they are politically motivated.

The whistleblower arrived at court wearing a navy blue suit and a Remembrance Day poppy. He was mobbed by supporters as he entered the building.

But the High Court upheld the ruling made by District Judge Howard Riddle at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court in February that he should be extradited to face investigation.



Julian Assange surrounded by media outside the High Court


It ruled the issuing of the European arrest warrant (EAW) that led to Assange's arrest and all subsequent proceedings to achieve extradition were "proportionate".

The judges dismissed the argument that the warrant was invalid because it had been issued by a prosecutor and not a "judicial authority".

They held the action of the prosecutor was subject to the independent scrutiny of Swedish judges "which, as judges of another (EU) member state, we must respect".

The court also rejected Assange's assertion the descriptions of the offences were not a fair and accurate account of the conduct alleged against him.

His lawyers will now consider whether to apply to take the case to the Supreme Court.

Supporters gathered outside the High Court in Central London said they were "outraged" and vowed to continue to give the WikiLeaks boss their full support.

Ciaron O'Reilly, 51, said: "Assange is probably the most amazing person in recent history who's upset so many powerful people in such a short space of time, so it's obviously not a level playing field."

The Australian shot to fame last year after his website released Collateral Murder - video footage of a US air crew shooting Iraqi civilians.

The site then released a series of leaked documents, including US Embassy cables and Afghanistan and Iraq war logs which were drip-fed to the media.

Assange duly became a cult hero but was arrested in December 2010 over the Swedish allegations.

He recently revealed his website is at risk of closure and is suspending publishing operations as it tries to combat a financial blockade and raise new funds.

http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16101529

Oh dear. Never mind

bb1 wrote:Oh dear. Never mind

Next stop after Sweden - Guantanamo Bay?

bb1 wrote:Oh dear. Never mind

He was so cock sure he'd get off with it wasn't he Bonny. He reminds me of Bennett with his high and mighty rat followers.
The Pide Piper of Harlow

Thanks, Maggs.

Not sure I am happy about this, although I don't care about him personally. I just think that The Extradition Laws are weighted against British Citizens while the rest of the countries involved cock a snook at them when it suits them.

France remains outside of this agreement, preferring to stick to the original arrangement. And you can't be extradited from France if the offense committed in another country is not an offence in France.

Maggs wrote:

bb1 wrote:Oh dear. Never mind

He was so cock sure he'd get off with it wasn't he Bonny. He reminds me of Bennett with his high and mighty rat followers.
The Pide Piper of Harlow

I understand that Harlow has got a lot of Rats. But yes, this is the attitude of Bennett, although whether he thinks that Laws don't apply to him or whether he is just plain stupid, remains a mystery.