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Julian Assange's extradition hearing postponed amid Covid-19 pandemic, earliest available date November Julian Assange's extradition hearing postponed amid Covid-19 pandemic, earliest available date November
(32 minutes later)
The Wikileaks co-founder’s US extradition hearing in London has been delayed, potentially till November, due to the coronavirus pandemic with his defense arguing it made the proceeding ‘medically dangerous’.The Wikileaks co-founder’s US extradition hearing in London has been delayed, potentially till November, due to the coronavirus pandemic with his defense arguing it made the proceeding ‘medically dangerous’.
Julian Assange’s extradition case has been delayed again after his defence lawyers said the coronavirus outbreak made his trial “impossible” and “medically dangerous”.Julian Assange’s extradition case has been delayed again after his defence lawyers said the coronavirus outbreak made his trial “impossible” and “medically dangerous”.
A hearing, held by video link at Westminster Magistrates Court, heard that the case could be postponed until as late as November 2 as the saga continued to rumble on. A hearing, held by video link at Westminster Magistrates Court, heard that the case could be postponed until as late as November 2, where three consecutive weeks are available at the earliest.
Judge Vanessa Baraitser vacated the planned hearing on May 18 saying the court would reconvene in a week to fix a date to hear Assange’s case in full.Judge Vanessa Baraitser vacated the planned hearing on May 18 saying the court would reconvene in a week to fix a date to hear Assange’s case in full.
The prosecution supported the defence’s appeal to delay the hearing, agreeing with barrister Edward Fitzgerald, that it would be “oppressive under the circumstances to require Mr Assange to take part". The prosecution supported the defence’s appeal that it's “oppressive under the circumstances to require Mr Assange" to come to the courtroom while Britain was locked down. Judge Baraitser said that both Assange and lawyers for both the defence and prosecution should be “physically present” in the court for the hearing.
Fitzgerald further argued that it would be dangerous for both his client and prison staff to bring the 48-year-old to the courtroom while Britain was locked down. Assange’s legal team appealed last month for the Australian born journalist to be released on bail after outbreaks of Covid-19 in some UK prisons but had their application denied. He appeared in such poor health when in court last October, 60 doctors wrote an open letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel calling for him to be moved from Belmarsh Prison to a hospital. His legal team remained concerned for his well-being.
Judge Baraitser said that both Assange and lawyers for both the defence and prosecution should be “physically present” in the court for the hearing. Assange has been wanted by the US government after publishing classified military and diplomatic files that proved deeply embarrassing to Washington in 2010. If convicted, he faces up to 175 years in prison.
The parties will meet again on May 4 to arrange a new date for proceedings to begin with dates lined up for either three non-consecutive weeks starting in July or three consecutive weeks in November.
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