It is apalling that Julian Assange has been refused bail following his arrest in London today.
The Daily Mail explains the likely fortcoming legal complexities:
[...]
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?Assange will appear before the City of Westminster Magistrates Court on December 14 when his lawyers are expected to outline their case against extradition and make a renewed bail application.
The WikiLeaks founder has indicated he will fight all the way to the High Court which could take over a year.
Legal sources believe he may argue to stay in Britain on the grounds that any trial in Sweden would be prejudiced because of his political notoriety.
He could take his case to the High Court and even the Supreme Court on 'a point of law of general public importance' which could take around two years to resolve.
If that fails, he could take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
If he were to be extradited to Sweden what would happen?
Assange is likely to be immediately charged with rape. He would face a trial by a judge as Sweden does not have a jury system for criminal cases. If convicted he faces up to six years in jail. On release he could face the prospect of extradition to other countries.
Can the US extradite him from Britain?
His detention yesterday on a European Arrest Warrant means that Sweden's request would take precedence over any extradition bid from America. Only if a district judge refused Assange's extradition to Sweden, could the US apply to have him extradited there.
Can the US extradite him from Sweden?US Attorney General Eric Holder claims to be taking 'significant steps' in a probe into the leaks, but it is unlikely that America will ever get its hands on Assange. The US has had an extradition treaty with Sweden since the 1960s, when the nations agreed to 'make more effective the co-operation of the two countries in the repression of crime'.
But extradition is likely to face a number of obstacles, not least the fact that the likely charges facing Assange in the US - under the Espionage Act or other legislation protecting national security - are not included in the exhaustive list of offences set out in the law.
Extradition is barred for military or political offences, under Swedish law.There may also be issues of jurisdiction, since the offences Assange is alleged by the US to have conducted did not take place within the country.
Any extradition from Sweden to other countries could take place only after the current rape proceedings have been concluded.
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We note that the Extradition case involving Gary McKinnon, who is accused of hacking in to US Military NIPREnet systems has lasted over 8 years now. This is another case involving US government pride and computer system incompetence, which has resulted in plenty of political pressure from the US Government.
See FreeGary.org.uk for the full panaoply of Extradition Hearings, Submissions to the Home Secretary, Appeals to the High Court, Judicial Reviews, Appeals to the House of Lords (now to the UK Supreme Court), Appeals to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. etc.
It looks as if Julian Assange will also now fall foul of the hated previous Labour governmet's controversial Extradition Act 2003, which prevents even incomplete prima facie from being heard and cross examined by defence lawyers in a British court, if the Extradition request is from a European Arrest Warrant country like Sweden or from the USA.
Gary McKinnon has been free on bail throughout his Extradition case, but others facing Extradition to the USA, such as British born computer techniocian Babar Ahmed have been locked up in high security prisons, without trial for even longer.
The Independent has published some more details of District Judge Eidley's refusal to grant bail to Julian Assange
Assange could face espionage trial in US
Washington sees chance as WikiLeaks founder is jailed as battle begins to prevent extradition over sex charges
By Kim Sengupta, Diplomatic Correspondent
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
[...]
Gemma Lindfield, appearing for the Swedish authorities, successfully opposed bail being granted because there was a risk he would fail to surrender – and also for his own protection, she said. She outlined five reasons why there was a risk: his "nomadic" lifestyle, reports that he intended to seek asylum in Switzerland, access to money from donors, his network of international contacts and his Australian nationality.
Mrs Lindfield added: "Any number of people could take it upon themselves to cause him harm. This is someone for whom, simply put, there is no condition, even the most stringent, that would ensure he would surrender to the jurisdiction of this court."
So it is for his own protection that he is being held in prison ? Really ?
Are all Australian citizens refused bail, simply for being Australian ? Of course not.
Hi folks,
As an american (now living in great britain) i feel ashamed, how not only the british authorities lend for this action again likiweak founder with this setup by the Cabal ([Various Gov't and Corporate world] aka Illumianti / Sons of Moriah). I am an lecturer in various subjects. But i call too all world citizens to boycot the parties involved, as this is a matter of Freedom Of Speech and Freedom Of Information etc. People must understand, that the parties involved, wants in the end, Create what Bush Sr., spoke about in 1991 as the formation of a New World Order, aka Global Dictatorship, and what Likileaks does is to EXPOSE the GOV'T and CORPORATE CORRUPTION.
I am myself an Survivor of the Infamous MONTAUK Project.
Altho i don't agree that we should use the same tactics as our opponent does, as than we're not better than them.
But we should continue by EXPOSING THIS GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE CORRUPTION, as thats a universal threat to the universal freedom of all of HUMANITY.
The 9-11 was a CABAL'S FALSE FLAG OPERATION, to be used a prelude for the US Gov't to INVADE ANY COUNTRY THEY LIKE, THAT HAVE SOME TYPE OF ESOTERIC / ALIEN TECHNOLOGY IN IT'S BORDERS OR SOIL, AS THATS WHY WE WENT TO IRAQ, BECOS OF ITS STARGATE, HIDDEN IN THE DESERT NEAR A VERY ANCIENT CITY.
For now take care, if ppl want to know more you can contact me on indigo_lecturer2703@yahoo.com.
Sincerely Yours: Robert.
There is no question that these charges are trumpted up by the Swedes, with deep pressure from the U.S. Assange's Lawyers just need to hire someone to follow the trail from where it originated, the 2 women. Dig deep and the truth will rise to the surface. Why he decided to go to the UK to begin with is a real mystery to me?? Dumb! Doesn't anyone in Europe fully understand the United States Government, and the lengths they will go to. WikiLeaks has hurt them deeply. The US, along with the rest of the Western World will be in a world of hurt in the next 2-3 years economically and these leaks about the truth of the military campaign in Iraq, has just hit a nerve. The whole US government is on edge these days, because the collapse of the Dollar and the entire US economy is imminent. Buy gold today folks, or silver if you can't afford gold right now..Over $30,000.00 per once within 48 months, you watch ;)