Julian Assange has been imprisoned for 1523 days.
Julian Assange’s legal battle in the UK hit a roadblock this week as High Court Judge Jonathan Swift unilaterally rejected an appeal of Julian’s extradition order on all grounds. This leaves just one avenue at the High Court level remaining for Assange: he now has until tomorrow to submit another request to appeal to a panel of two judges, who will convene a public hearing as to whether they will grant Assange leave of appeal.
Julian's wife Stella Assange made a statement on her Twitter saying: "On Tuesday next week my husband Julian Assange will make a renewed application for appeal to the High Court. The matter will then proceed to a public hearing before two new judges at the High Court and we remain optimistic that we will prevail and that Julian will not be extradited to the United States where he faces charges that could result in him spending the rest of his life in a maximum security prison for publishing true information that revealed war crimes committed by the U.S. government."
International Federation of Journalists expressed their concern saying they "are appalled by the UK High Court’s rejection of Assange’s appeal. The US government must drop all charges against him and close the case. If Assange goes to jail, no journalist on earth will be safe."
The president of Brazil Lula da Silva condemned the UK High Court's decision on Twitter: "Assange has done an important job of denouncing illegitimate actions by one state against another. His arrest goes against the defense of democracy and freedom of the press. It is important that we all mobilize in their defense."
Amnesty International also put out a statement saying that it is "extremely disappointing that Julian Assange has lost his latest appeal against extradition. Extraditing Assange would set a dangerous precedent & threaten all of our rights to freedom of expression. The critical issues raised in the appeal will be aired in court next week."
"We are highly disappointed by the UK High Court’s rejection of Julian Assange’s appeal of his extradition to the United States. The idea of Assange or anyone being tried in a U.S. court for obtaining and publishing confidential documents the same way investigative reporters do every day should be terrifying to all Americans,” said Freedom of the Press Foundation Director of Advocacy Seth Stern.
Reporters without Borders were amongst the first to denounce the decision by the UK High Court. “It is absurd that a single judge can issue a three-page decision that could land Julian Assange in prison for the rest of his life and permanently impact the climate for journalism around the world. The historical weight of what happens next cannot be overstated; it is time to put a stop to this relentless targeting of Assange and act instead to protect journalism and press freedom. Our call on President Biden is now more urgent than ever: drop these charges, close the case against Assange, and allow for his release without further delay," said Rebecca Vincent, RSF’s Director of Campaigns.
Join the protest - Anything to Say in London
On Saturday 24th June, Davide Dormino will bring his Anything to Say? statue to London for one day only! If you have anything to say, then join us in Parliament Square from 1pm.
"Anything To Say?" is a life size bronze sculpture, portraying three figures each one standing on a chair. The fourth chair is empty because it is our chair. The one for us to stand up on to express ourselves or simply to stand next to Edward Snowden, Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, who had the courage to say no to the intrusion of global surveillance and to lies that lead to war.
When: Saturday 24 June at 1pm BST
Where: Parliament square, London UK
Help us raise money so we can fund Anything to Say protest on 24 June and to keep the #FreeAssange billboard outside Belmarsh prison where Julian Assange is currently imprisoned - Join our Crowdfunder