WikiLeaks founder and writer Julian Assange shouldn’t be extradited to the US to face espionage expenses, a UK court docket dominated on Monday.
District Choose Vanessa Baraitser stated such a transfer can be “oppressive” taking into consideration Assange’s psychological well being, saying he was prone to suicide.
Whereas his supporters welcomed the transfer, there was nonetheless an air of warning as many anticipate the US authorities to attraction the choice, which means Assange will proceed to be held at Belmarsh jail, a most safety facility.
The US has charged him with hacking authorities computer systems and espionage in relation to WikiLeaks’s publication of tons of of 1000’s of leaked paperwork between 2010 and 2011 in regards to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
Assange and his authorized group have lengthy stated the case in opposition to him is politically motivated.
Right here is how the world has reacted:
WikiLeaks
Editor-in-Chief of WikiLeaks Kristinn Hrafnsson stated the day was a “win” for the 49-year-old Australian, however not for press freedom and journalism.
“It’s a win for Julian Assange – however it isn’t essentially a win for journalism … the US facet ought to drop the attraction and say sufficient,” he stated.
WikiLeaks’ Kristinn Hrafnsson: ‘It’s a win for Julian Assange – however it isn’t a win for journalism. The US authorities ought to drop their attraction and let Julian go free. #AssangeCase pic.twitter.com/1b1J2qQQAf
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 4, 2021
Christine Assange – Julian Assange’s mom
“Its not over until he’s safely residence and all expenses dropped, however immediately was the most effective information,” Christine posted on Twitter.
“Its been 10 lengthy traumatic years.”
Thanks #TeamAssange…
Its not over until hes safely residence & all expenses dropped, however immediately was the most effective information..
Its been 10 lengthy traumatic years..
I hope I’ll maintain my son once more quickly..like I did right here in 2010 pic.twitter.com/U4H1XkFT9l
— ?Christine Assange #FreeAssangeNOW (@MrsC_Assange) January 4, 2021
Stella Moris – Assange’s companion
“At the moment’s victory is step one in direction of justice on this case,” Moris, who has two kids with Assange, advised reporters exterior the court docket.
She added that the writer’s freedoms “had been coupled with all our freedoms”, calling on US President Donald Trump to pardon Assange.
Stella Moris: Julian’s freedom is tied to all of our freedoms. I name on insiders to come back ahead to reveal the complete lengthen of the misconduct on this case. #FreeJulian #FreePress pic.twitter.com/9G63VXeGjo
— Do not Extradite Assange (@DEAcampaign) January 4, 2021
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexican president
The Mexican president stated he is able to provide political asylum to Assange and supported the choice of a UK choose to disclaim his extradition to the US.
“Assange is a journalist and deserves an opportunity, I’m in favour of pardoning him,” Obrador advised his common information convention. “We’ll give him safety.”
Rafael Correa, former Ecuador president
Correa, who had granted Assange asylum within the nation’s London embassy in 2012, stated the blocking of his extradition was “nice information”.
“Nice information for the world! Congratulations to Julian, but additionally to his extraordinary group of attorneys,” he stated on Twitter.
¡Gran noticia para el mundo!
Felicitaciones a Julian, pero también a su extraordinario equipo de abogados. https://t.co/cwwO8BEzH9— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) January 4, 2021
Zahra Sultana, UK member of Parliament
Sultana stated the choice to not extradite Assange was “proper” and that he must be launched from Belmarsh instantly.
At the moment’s court docket ruling to not extradite Julian Assange to the US to face espionage expenses is the proper determination.
He must be launched from Belmarsh jail instantly.
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) January 4, 2021
Edward Snowden, NSA whistle-blower
Snowden thanked all those that supported Assange, calling his trial “some of the harmful threats to press freedoms in many years”.
Thanks to everybody who campaigned in opposition to some of the harmful threats to press freedom in many years. https://t.co/SVHvliVxLl
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 4, 2021
Jeremy Corbyn, former UK Labour celebration chief
The British member of Parliament stated extraditing Assange can be “an assault on press freedom” and he must be launched from jail.
Excellent news the extradition of Julian Assange has been refused.
Extradition can be an assault on press freedom.
It’s alarming the choose has accepted US Authorities arguments threatening freedom of speech and to publish.
Assange must be launched.
See https://t.co/XPw13Am6Cs
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 4, 2021
John Pilger, journalist and filmmaker
The Australian veteran journalist referred to as the decision “great”, including that it was a face-saving second for the UK to “justify their disgraceful political trial of Assange”.
Julian #Assange has been discharged by the choose on the Outdated Bailey on grounds that he was too nice a suicide danger if extradited to the US. That is great! It is a face-saving cowl for the British to justify their disgraceful political trial of #Assange on America’s behalf.
— John Pilger (@johnpilger) January 4, 2021
Amnesty Worldwide – human rights group
The UK-based organisation welcomed the choice whereas condemning the UK authorities for “placing media freedom and freedom of expression on trial”.
We welcome the truth that Julian Assange won’t be despatched to the USA, however this doesn’t absolve the UK from having engaged on this politically-motivated course of on the behest of the USA and placing media freedom and freedom of expression on trial.
— Amnesty Worldwide (@amnesty) January 4, 2021
Glenn Greenwald, journalist and Intercept founder
Regardless of calling the choice as “nice information”, Greenwald stated Choose Baraitser had largely endorsed the US authorities’s arguments.
“This wasn’t a victory for press freedom. Fairly the opposite: the choose made clear she believed there are grounds to prosecute Assange in reference to the 2010 publication,” he tweeted.
The rejection by the UK court docket of the US Govt’s request to extradite Julian Assange to face trial on espionage expenses is clearly nice information. However the choose endorsed many of the USG’s theories, however in the end discovered the US jail system too inhumane to allow extradition.
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 4, 2021
This wasn’t a victory for press freedom. Fairly the opposite: the choose made clear she believed there are grounds to prosecute Assange in reference to the 2010 publication.
It was, as a substitute, an indictment of the insanely oppressive US jail system for safety “threats.”
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 4, 2021
Peter Hitchens, UK journalist
The British creator and conservative critic condemned journalists who he alleged beforehand refused to “communicate up for Julian Assange”, calling it a “pitiful efficiency (one in every of many) by our commerce”.
“How does it really feel to be out-libertied by an Outdated Bailey [court] Choose?” he requested.
To all these journalists who didn’t have the braveness to talk up for Julian Assange when he was alone and threatened with life in a US dungeon – how does it really feel to be out-libertied by an Outdated Bailey Choose? A pitiful efficiency (one in every of many) by our commerce.
— Peter Hitchens (@ClarkeMicah) January 4, 2021