- Title: FILE: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange prepares to fight extradition to Sweden
- Date: 7th February 2011
- Summary: PHOENIX, ARIZONA (FILE - NOVEMBER 23, 2010) (REUTERS) FORMER REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SARAH PALIN, SIGNING AT BOOK SIGNING / SHAKES HANDS WITH MAN WHO'S JUST HAD HIS BOOK SIGNED PALIN CHATTING TO SUPPORTERS WHO ARE LINING UP TO GET THEIR BOOK SIGNED
- Embargoed: 22nd February 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Australia, Cuba, Usa, Sweden, United Kingdom
- City:
- Country: Cuba Usa Sweden United Kingdom Australia
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Communications
- Reuters ID: LVA40NCPXQKHXEJJAL7E1PDCTV18
- Story Text: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to begin his next legal battle in London on Monday (February 7) when his lawyers will fight his extradition to Sweden.
The 39-year-old Australian computer expert, who has infuriated Washington by releasing details of secret U.S. diplomatic cables on his website, is wanted for questioning by Swedish prosecutor Marianne Ny over allegations of sexual offenses made by two female WikiLeaks volunteers.
In December British prosecutors acting on behalf of Sweden failed in their High Court bid to deny Assange bail and he was released from solitary confinement in the Victorian Wandsworth jail.
"It's great to smell the fresh air of London again," said Assange on December 16, as he greeted supporters and hundreds of reporters gathered outside the High Court.
Assange has been staying under virtual house arrest at the Suffolk mansion of his friend, the founder of the Frontline Club, Vaughan Smith as part of his strict bail conditions.
He has continued with WikiLeaks work and earlier this month received two CD's of leaked information about off-shore banking from Swiss whistleblower Rudolf Elmer.
On Monday at Belmarsh magistrates court, Assange's legal team will argue that Swedish authorities misused a European arrest warrant. Assange is not charged with any crime in Sweden. He is only wanted for questioning. He has offered to speak to Swedish authorities via video-link or to meet them in London.
Lawyers will also argue that if Assange is sent to Sweden, he will run the risk of then being extradited to the United States, facing the death penalty or be held in Guantanamo Bay.
"There is a real risk that, if extradited to Sweden, the U.S. will seek his extradition and/or illegal rendition to the USA," said the document on the website of law firm Finers Stephens Innocent.
If Assangeup in the United States, the document adds, there is "a real risk" he would be subject to ill-treatment or even torture, both prohibited under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
"Indeed, if Mr. Assange were rendered to the USA, without assurances that the death penalty would not be carried out, there is a real risk that he could be made subject to the death penalty."
Top U.S. officials, including the Secretaries of State and Defense, have denounced WikiLeaks. Attorney General Eric Holder has indicated his prosecutors are brainstorming creative legal strategies to bring criminal charges against the WikiLeaks front-man.
Others advocate more aggressive action. Former Alaska governor and Republican presidential candidate Sarah Palin has called for American authorities to pursue Assange with the same zeal that they hunt al Qaeda.
Assange's supporters are equally vehement in their admiration. In Australia they held several rallies in December calling on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to do more to protect the posterboy for whistleblowers.
The extradition hearings are set to last two days. Assange's lawyers say whichever way it goes, there will likely be an appeal launched by the losing side.
WikiLeaks says it is a nonprofit organisation funded by human rights campaigners, journalists and the general public. Launched in 2006, it promotes the leaking of information to fight government and corporate corruption. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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