Alex Christoforou
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s appearance in a UK court, where he appeared struggled to recall his name and often times looked confused and distraught as to what was happening to him.
Assange faces 18 counts in the United States including conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law.
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Assange Holds Back Tears, As Rigged Extradition To US Looms by The Duran
The Duran Quick Take: Episode 342. The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s appearance in a UK court, where he appeared struggled to recall his name and often times looked confused and distraught as to what was happening to him.
With his supporters rallying outside the court building, Julian Assange showed signs of exhaustion and psychological torment as his lawyer made a bid to delay US extradition proceedings – but the London court ruled against him.
Cleanly shaven and dressed in a navy suit, the WikiLeaks co-founder appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday to seek the postponement of an extradition hearing scheduled for February – but the impact of six months behind bars at London’s maximum security Belmarsh Prison have clearly taken a toll.
A weary Assange defiantly raised his fist to supporters in the public gallery, but the imprisoned Australian whistleblower understandably did not appear to be in good spirits. Reports from inside the court suggest that Assange, who shot to international prominence for revealing US war crimes, even struggled to say his own name and date of birth. He reportedly held back tears as he told the court that he couldn’t “think properly.”
His lawyer argued that the US government had attempted to kidnap and cause harm to Assange, and said he would need more time to compile evidence for the case.
Tristan Kirk on Twitter: “Today in court, Julian Assange struggled to say his own name and date of birth as he appeared in the dock. He claimed to have not understood what happened in the case management hearing, and was holding back tears as he said: “I can’t think properly”. / Twitter”
Today in court, Julian Assange struggled to say his own name and date of birth as he appeared in the dock. He claimed to have not understood what happened in the case management hearing, and was holding back tears as he said: “I can’t think properly”.
UN special rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer warned in July that Assange’s health was deteriorating in prison after visiting him with two medical experts to assess the extent of ill-treatment he has been facing.
Melzer said Assange showed all the symptoms typical “prolonged and sustained exposure to severe psychological stress, anxiety and related mental and emotional suffering” and that his cognitive and sensory capacity have been “significantly impaired.” Fellow Australian journalist John Pilger also spoke of Assange’s unabated “psychological torture” after a visit to Belmarsh in August, though their warnings have typically fallen on deaf ears among the UK media and officialdom.
Outside the court, angry protesters chanted slogans and held up a giant banner reading “Don’t extradite Assange” – but the court ultimately rejected the proposed delay.
In a video published by Ruptly, activists can be seen trying to surround a police van believed to be carrying Assange. Officers at the scene rushed to move protesters away from the vehicle.
The United States has charged Assange with possession and dissemination of classified information. If found guilty, he could receive up to 175 years in prison. The journalist has been in Washington’s crosshairs for more than a decade, after WikiLeaks published a video showing the US military attacking journalists and civilians in Iraq in July 2007.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
If Trump pardons Assange, liberals’ heads will implode.
Julian Assange has been hung out to dry by the British Government and the US administration.
I feel very sorry for Julian Assange and pray that he will not be extradited. It will be his death.
…if he doesn’t die in Belmarsh. I think that is what the Brits are trying to accomplish frankly.
As I watch what is being done in America’s name (as well as in Britain’s among others), I ask myself “When did this all go wrong?”. I suppose in the twilight of empires, dirty deeds are done. Perhaps, it is not when it went wrong but was it right to begin with and that we were just deluding ourselves. There is a clip from the movie “Falling Down” that sticks in my memory where Michael Douglas confronts the fact that he was the bad guy. It doesn’t say it all but it is close. For those who wish to see… Read more »
The “Truth will set you free…” obviously does NOT apply in this case. Truth in this age of “erosion”- we’re well into the onset of the next Dark Age- is virtually a “death sentence”…
About Julian’s image in this article, this Monday after the court hearing in London a journalist — running next to the prison van — took what could be the last images of Julian Assange, since the final hearing in February will be held directly at the maximum security prison. This apparently following instructions from US representatives at yesterday’s hearing to further isolate Julian from the public.
In this short video, as in the courtroom, Julian seems absent and only partially conscious.