Julian Assange Extradition Granted. Well It Would Be Wouldn't It
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Add Comment
Kicking the establishment in the bollocks was never going to be forgiven. If I were you old lad, I'd be seriously thinking of being away on me toes, tag or no tag. The writing is on the wall, just the two words, Julian Assange.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be extradited to Sweden
WIKILEAKS founder Julian Assange will be extradited to Sweden to face sexual assault charges, a British judge has ruled.
The silver-haired Australian sat in the dock of the Belmarsh Magistrates Court in southeast London showing no emotion as Judge Howard Riddle read: "I must order that Mr Assange is extradited to Sweden".
"I have specifically considered whether the physical or mental condition of the defendant is such that it would be unjust or oppressive to extradite him," Judge Riddle said.
"In fact, I am satisfied that extradition is compatible with the defendant's convention rights. I must order that Mr Assange be extradited to Sweden."
He added that Mr Assange had seven days to lodge an appeal the against the decision.
"Clear and specific allegations have been made against Mr Assange in Sweden," Judge Riddle said, adding that it was reasonable for authorities to request he be in Stockholm for questioning.
The allegations against Mr Assange include three counts of sexual assault and one of rape, against two women on two separate occasions in August 2010.
Judge Riddle recounted details of the women's claims: that in one case Assange "deliberately molested the injured party by acting in a manner designed to violate her sexual integrity".
His actions allegedly included holding her arms, forcing apart her legs and putting his body weight on top of her to prevent her movement, later rubbing his penis against her naked body.
The allegation involving the second woman is that Mr Assange had unprotected sex with a woman who was sleeping, knowing she would not consent to unprotected sex and therefore constituting rape.
Judge Riddle rejected arguments by Mr Assange's lawyers that the Swedish prosecutor in charge of the investigation was not authorised to order the extradition and had made a mistake.
"Here, there is simply no reason to believe there has been a mistake," he said.
"The prosecution has been meticulous and left no stone unturned."
The court continues to discuss Mr Assange's bail status.
Since December 14, his conditional bail has required he live at an English country estate and report daily to police.
Geoffrey Robertson QC, representing Mr Assange, said there were some difficulties if bail were to be continued in its current form, including the electronic "bracelet" that his client is required to wear to monitor his whereabouts.
"You know what the problem is: that it does restrict his exercise. He can't run, for example," Mr Robertson told the court.
"The electronic tag does, for example, make it difficult to run."
Without having made a formal decision on bail, Judge Riddle said the current measures were necessary.
"There is a need for the authorities to know where somebody is on a daily basis," he said.
Dressed in a dark grey suit with red tie, Mr Assange held a notebook and pen throughout last night's ruling but wrote down little.
Earlier, he strode confidently pass waiting media and into the court complex, smiling and chatting with his legal representatives.
The smile was nowhere to be seen after Judge Riddle's ruling, with Assange clasping his hands and shifting in his seat.
Mr Assange sparked controversy when he published hundreds of thousands of leaked US diplomatic cables on WikiLeaks.
He has said his real fear was Sweden delivering him to US authorities.heraldsun.au
0 Response to "Julian Assange Extradition Granted. Well It Would Be Wouldn't It"
Post a Comment