On 28th February, RSF reported
Editor’ Note: This observation may be applied to the Bail application of the 25th March when the prosecution claimed Julian Assange was not a Covid-19 risk or Judge Baraitser acknowledged Julian was not the only vulnerable detainee in Belmarsh.
During the first week of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s US extradition hearing in London, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) was concerned by the clear lack of evidence from the US for its charges against Assange. RSF also remains concerned about Assange’s wellbeing and inability to participate properly in his hearing, following reports of mistreatment at Belmarsh prison and the judge’s rejection of his application to sit with his lawyers in the courtroom. The hearing will resume from 18 May, when three weeks of evidence will be heard.
RSF conducted an unprecedented international trial-monitoring mission to the UK for Julian Assange’s US extradition hearing from 24-27 February, as the prosecution and defence presented their legal arguments at Woolwich Crown Court in London. RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire and RSF Germany Director Christian Mihr joined RSF UK Bureau Director Rebecca Vincent for the hearing, and Vincent was able to systematically monitor each sitting over the four days. RSF staff from London, Paris, and Berlin also staged an action outside the adjacent Belmarsh Prison – where Assange is being held – on 23 February, and joined protests outside the court on 24 February.
Read Full article in Reporters Without Boarder’s Web Site