- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

No Journalist is Safe: Protestors React to Assange Arrest, Likely US Extradition

© Sputnik / Demond CuretonProtesters rally in front of the Westminster Magistrate's Courthouse in London in support of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange
Protesters rally in front of the Westminster Magistrate's Courthouse in London in support of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Sputnik spoke to a demonstrator for the #FreeAssange campaign holding a rally in front of the courthouse to learn more about what awaits Mr. Assange's fate. The Wikileaks founder fled prosecution from Swedish authorities based on a pending investigation on alleged sexual assault charges.

Demonstrators rallied outside of the Westminster Magistrate Court in London after Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was forcefully taken into custody by Metropolitan Police around 10:50 am on Thursday. 

"We don't really know," the protester said. "The charges have been Trumped-up to some extent from the US, so we don't know if they're going to file for extradition or not." 

A protester wearing a Europen Union flag themed beret takes part in an anti-Brexit demonstration after Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May triggered the process by which the United Kingdom will leave the Euopean Union, in Birmingham, Britain March 29, 2017. - Sputnik International
‘I Don’t See It Benefitting Anyone’ - UKIP Member on Brexit Delay
"The worst thing is that [Assange] had political asylum and he was dragged out of the embassy with the go-ahead of the Ecuadorian government and the Ecuadorian ambassador to the UK." 

"As far as I know, the man should be freed and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, not treated in the manner he was — like a criminal," the protestor added. "He hasn't committed any crime here or anywhere else."

READ MORE: WATCH Westminster Magistrates Court Following Arrest of WikiLeaks' Assange

When asked how the #FreeJulianAssange rally would fight for Mr Assange's rights, the protestor said, "There is no organisation".  

"We're all individuals that believe in freedom of the press and human rights," the protestor said. "So we've got no organisation and Wikileaks is not involved in any campaigns but their work." 

© Sputnik / Demond CuretonPeople are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019 - Sputnik International
1/4
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
© Sputnik / Demond CuretonPeople are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019 - Sputnik International
2/4
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
© Sputnik / Demond CuretonPeople are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019 - Sputnik International
3/4
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
© AP Photo / Matt DunhamMedia waiting for the arrival of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange swarm around a car that arrives at Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
Media waiting for the arrival of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange swarm around a car that arrives at Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019 - Sputnik International
4/4
Media waiting for the arrival of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange swarm around a car that arrives at Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
1/4
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
2/4
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
3/4
People are seen outside Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019
4/4
Media waiting for the arrival of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange swarm around a car that arrives at Westminster magistrates court in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019

"The freedom of the press is absolutely in danger," the protestor added. "If Assange goes down, we're all going to go down".

Sputnik also heard Wikileaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson give a public statement following the hearing, who said that US extraditions of whistleblowers "must end". 

"Anyone who wants the press to be free should consider the implications of this case," Mr Hrafnsson said. "If they will extradite a journalist to the US then no journalist will be safe."

"This must stop," he added. "This must end."

Following his arrest, Mr Assange was found guilty of breaching bail in 2012 when he fled to the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge, London. Assange will be sentenced next month at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Michael Snow said, adding that Assange's assertion of not having a fair hearing was "laughable" and accused him of having "the behaviour of a narcissist who can't get beyond his own selfish interests," adding that his behaviour in council had been "shameful". 

READ MORE: US Charges Assange With Helping Chelsea Manning Break Into Classified Computers

US authorities have requested Mr Assange's extradition and charged the activist with involvement in computer hacking alongside Chelsea Manning on charges filed on 10 March, with the Metropolitan police stating that the arrest was made on behalf of US authorities. If convicted, Assange faces up to five years in jail, with the US Justice Department's Office of Internal Affairs handling the extradition request. UK prime minister Theresa May has welcomed Mr Assange's arrest, stating that "no one is above the law".

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала