Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, is facing a crucial two-day hearing in London that could see him extradited to the United States. His former PR adviser, Richard Hillgrove, has expressed concerns about Assange’s safety if he is sent to an American prison.
Assange has been imprisoned in Britain’s Belmarsh prison since 2019 after being accused of leaking classified military files in 2010 and 2011. He has already lost an earlier extradition appeal in 2021, with the High Court dismissing concerns about his mental health and potential suicide risk.
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This current hearing represents Assange’s final attempt to avoid extradition. If his appeal fails, he will have exhausted all legal options and face the process of being sent to the US.
Hillgrove, expressing the anxieties of many supporters, fears that Assange’s appeal will be rejected and he will be “packed off” to the US. He emphasizes that a previous ruling by judge Vanessa Barrister acknowledged the impact on Assange’s mental health and argued against extradition.
Hillgrove maintains that “if there’s even a grey area on his mental health, his human rights should kick in” and prevent his extradition.
The situation remains tense, with concerns for Assange’s well-being amidst the ongoing legal battle.
