Assange's wife calls for his release as he misses court due to illness
4 Min Read
The High Court of Justice in London began a two-day hearing on Julian Assange's case Tuesday and authorities will assess whether Assange will have more opportunity to contest extradition to the United States in UK courts.
-
Stella Assange, wife of Julian Assange speaks outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP)
Stella Assange, the wife and lawyer of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, demanded his release from jail at a major rally in London on Tuesday, vowing that all of his prosecutors will be brought to justice in some way.
The High Court of Justice in London began a two-day hearing on Julian Assange's case Tuesday and authorities will assess whether Assange will have more opportunity to contest extradition to the United States in UK courts. Protesters gathered outside the courthouse to support WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and call for his release from jail.
In a message to protesters, Stella expressed that prosecutors "cannot get away with this. Julian needs his freedom, and we all need truth."
Assange was absent from court due to illness as his lawyer made a final appeal against extradition to the US.
Speaking with Australian broadcaster SBS News on Sunday, Stella conveyed a lack of optimism, stating that she doesn't believe "this will go our way."
"I don’t have hope that this will go our way. And even if it were to go our way – meaning he’d have leave to appeal and have his arguments heard in full – then it would mean Julian continues in prison," said the lawyer.
Should Assange's appeal be unsuccessful, he retains the option to file an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights to forestall his extradition to the US. Nonetheless, his legal team is concerned that the British government might attempt to transport him by air before such an appeal can be pursued.
"It’s now a matter of life and death for my husband," Assange added.
"Julian will be put in a hole if he is extradited, there is no doubt about that," she said. "He will be put in a hole so far and deep in the ground that I don't think I'll ever see him again,” she added.
'The situation is extremely grave'
This comes shortly after Stella warned in a meeting organized by the Foreign Press Association that he could be put on a plane to the US within days if the appeal fails, fearing his death if he is extradited. This is the final chance for Assange to challenge then-former Home Secretary Priti Patel's decision in June 2022 for an extradition.
“The situation is extremely grave. Julian could be on a plane to the United States within days... It is the final hearing if it does not go Julian’s way, there is no possibility to appeal to the Supreme Court or anywhere else in this jurisdiction," his wife said last Friday.
His supporters have raised their voices as well, saying that the impact of the decision on press freedom “cannot be underestimated,” while one artist claimed that he will destroy works by Picasso, Rembrandt, Warhol, and others if Assange dies in prison.
Assange’s request to attend his hearing next week in person to communicate with his lawyers has not been granted yet, according to his wife, who added, “It is part of the greater absurdity of this case that keeps on shocking me”.
She continued that her husband has not spent one day outside of Belmarsh prison for almost five years except for his in-person appearance in court back in 2021.
Read more: Julian Assange's prosecution threatens global media freedom: IEJ, EFJ
