The U.S. has filed an appeal with the High Court in London to reverse a decision by a British judge not to extradite the WikiLeaks publisher on health grounds.
Consortium News
The liberal administration of Joe Biden proved itself to be no less an enemy of press freedom than Donald Trump when it filed an appeal at the UK High Court on Friday to get their hands on the journalist Julian Assange.
The appeal seeks to overturn a decision by Magistrate Vanessa Baraitser, who on Jan. 4, ruled that the WikiLeaks publisher was at heightened risk of suicide if he were to be extradited to the United States and face life in a U.S. super max prison.
Amnesty International on Thursday had joined an array of press freedom and human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch, in urging the Biden administration to drop the case against Assange. But it fell on deaf ears in Washington.
Biden was vice president in the Barack Obama administration, which decided not to prosecute Assange in 2011 essentially on press freedom grounds, reasoning that if it indicted Assange for journalistic activity, then it would have to also prosecute The New York Times and other mainstream media for the exact same activity. Biden has broken with his former administration.
Biden had another opportunity to show that he was the “decent” man his supporters say he is and to dissociate himself from the illiberal, indeed, extremist views of his predecessor. Instead this decision is in line with a politician who was the most important Democratic proponent of the illegal invasion of Iraq, whose war crimes Assange exposed.
Should we be surprised that Biden hopes to silence Assange and any journalist who dares expose the truth? After all, Biden is a card carrying member of the corporate wing of the Democratic Party. The Party that likes to believe it is ethically above its rivals in the Republican Party. The Party whose preferred and elected officials have committed war crimes, whose supporters feel incredibly superior to those who support the Republican party and any Republicans who have held office preferring to ignore or deny their culpability. The broader public is deceived by major media outlets. The NYT prefers myth to truth. Prefers pretense and polite language as the means of delivery. Fox News on the other hand has a difference style of delivering myth, but with the same intent: to deceive the public and demonstrate obeisance to those who fund them. The burden is on the public to first seek out independent journalists and then evaluate them for bias, convoluted reasoning, and even lies – often lies simply retold. Don’t count on our educational institutions regardless of their ‘reputations’ … The Ivy League has its share of gatekeepers, myth promulgators.
Mr. Larry McGovern
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In any jurisdiction that holds on to it’s own sovereignty, the answer to your question must be a resounding YES!
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So this seems the obvious next step. Taking it to the next level because your hand was forced.
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I sure hope for the sake of Julian Assange — I’m not trying to be morbid, I’m just being practical when I type this: dead or alive —- that there are some members of “the bar” willing to do some work aprobo or pro bono you could say. Do it for free for the sake of the legal sovereignty of whatever country within they reside. Otherwise, the US of A owns your legal systems – all of them. Is this not blatantly obvious? What is the hold up? I think I know the answer. Go to Sweden if you want to really figure it all out. It is a sad story of travesty. Sweden ain’t part of the EU is it? I think that is an important legal aspect of all of this.
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Meanwhile, a fine man languishes in prison for committing the same crime as Copernicus (thank-you previous poster). Sometimes the truth hurts, but haven’t we already learned that lesson? If we have not, then ain’t it time to learn it?
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I got to go. It is Valentine’s Day and there are pressing matters for me to attend to. Thank-you Consortium News for your exceptional editorial skills.
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Peace,
Ken
A key question for me is: With the US now appealing Baraister’s decision, can Julian’s attorneys cross-appeal on the merits of the decision, which, as we know, were 100% for the prosecution. I believe I’ve read I seen in previous commentaries on CN (perhaps it was Craig Murray?) that JS would perhaps have a better than even chance of winning his appeal, since the higher court could not possibly support the egregious decision on the merits. I suggest Alexander Mercouris would likely have the answer to that question.
I also am puzzled – like Andrew Thomas – as to the question of any appeal of the bail denial decision.
Biden needs to be hammered early and hard. He is also all in with the Great Reset technocracy takeover that will undoubtedly provide many grounds for impeachment.
I posted prematurely, and meant to add that the Biden vendetta against Assange is no doubt motivated in large part by vindictiveness for Wikileaks Podesta emails publication and exposure of DNC sabotage of Sanders in the 2016 primary. I wish Sweden had the cajones to award Assange the Nobel Peace Prize.
Instead of having a more progressive alternative to the decades along USA Imperial foreign policy, the Biden administration is revealing itself to be the same old “sole Superpower” hegemon. So, it’s really a return to the “old normal” of Uncle Sam going back to his self-appointed role as the Global Cop. As the jaded but wiser working class activists would comment, “The New Boss? Same as the Old Boss!”
I don’t think Britain can extradite Assange. Baraitser blew the possibility last year when she stated from her bench that Britain had an interest. Look back on Craig Murray for his eye-witness account of proceedings in which he noted that the American lawyers behind the Barristers looked uncomfortable. The ruling that made them so did so because it put a Brit claim on Assange, which law required to be (or have been) resolved before the extradition hearings. And within a reasonable time. I don’ t know how they resolve the time toll, but VB’ s recent ruling against extradition was the excusery that was needed to dodge the conflict (and the question why had Assange not yet been trtied in Britain, as VB had ruled [advertently or inadvertently] her bench had ‘ interest to).
There is a reason why they should drop all charges and it’s called TRUTH. There was a court case in England in 2013 where A person by the name of Katherine Gun was charged with disclosing secret documents! hXXps://amp.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/22/katharine-gun-whistleblower-iraq-official-secrets-film-keira-knightley
Reason why Julian Assange should be freed immediately!
Overwhelming world opinion is opposed to the extradition of Julian Assange and has been for a very long time. The United States and its tame mainstream media have persecuted Assange for revealing the crimes of imperialism, covering up the truth about the frameup of Assange that was evident to his supporters and followers from the very beginning. If something smells like a dead rat, that means a dead rat is in the vicinity. That rat is the U.S. government.
Let’s not pretend. Biden couldn’t file his nails. Biden admin filed an appeal.
As they say ..new boss..just like the old boss. Why do we excited ourselves with elections.?
Shame on Biden. About what I expected.
“Without Freedom of the Press there can be no Democracy”
Thomas Jefferson
FREE JULIAN ASSANGE NOW!
2/13/2021 Are we there yet, on the anniversary of astronomer Galileo Galilei’s 1633 arrival in Rome to face an inquisition for truth telling in defense and support of Copernican theory that Earth not the center of the Universe with Copernicus burned at the stake for holding on to truth with confirmer Galileo under house arrest? Julian Assange should be released immediately so he can say, “Free at last.”
I’m afraid he’s just another American who believes he has god on his side and that the invasion of Iraq was god’s idea, totally defensible within the scriptures of the bible. Don’t forget god forgave Blair. Remember the image of Trump holding up the bible. What we know as war crimes eg rape and massacre of civilians are encouraged in the old biblical wars.
“The liberal administration of Joe Biden …”
*@•!?! Where is this liberal administration of Joe Biden?
It is so obvious that this country’s elite (including Washington, MSM. Wall Street and the MIC) hate Assange for exposing their high crimes of corruption and mass murder. I’m sorry Julian – if I had the power, you would be free to live and speak your truth but I am just one voice being drowned out by this ship of fools we call America…
So much for hopes of a president with strong ethics and moral fiber. When will be elect a more noble individual to represent our country?
I am very disappointed to learn this. The Biden decision comes as no surprise though as that administration continues to bomb Yemen, support the theft of Syrian oil and build new detention centres for asylum seekers in south Texas. There had been a glimmer of hope.
I feel so very badly for Julian Assange. Just heartbreaking.
Biden is wrong for trying to get Julian Assange and put him in a us max security prison for publication of crimes committed by himself! Biden should be the one in prison and Bernie Sanders should be our president!!
I am not surprised but horribly disappointed. Great courage should be rewarded with great rewards, not torture interrogation to get sources in some U.S. hellhole.
Biden’s DoJ had 3 and a half weeks to cancel the appeal, but chose to persist.
What upsets me is how the nu-left has essentially abandoned Assange for the perceived crime of favouring/helping Trump. It’s amazing how many otherwise rational people have allowed themselves to fall for the Russiagate narrative to legitimise Assange’s persecution.
I am in total agreement with this post. “Otherwise rational people” leave Assange to the vultures.
Yes indeed. The US has two right-wing, authoritarian, warmonger parties. That’s our “choice”.
“The US is an oligarchy with unlimited political bribery” (Jimmy Carter)
“Forget the politicians, they are put there to make you think you have a choice. You don’t! You have owners, they own the f-in place.” (George Carlin)
“Meet the new boss, same as the old boss” (Pete Townshend, The Who, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”)
Just sent this to the white house
Hey Joe Where You Goin’ with that 1st Amendment under your foot?
You and I are of the era when we felt informed by “Uncle” Walter Cronkite who said, “Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.” His reporting was a big part of awakening the US public to the Vietnam debacle.
For those of us who were paying attention so were the disclosures of Wikileaks ,a wake up call.
I am deeply disappointed in your calling for the extradition of Julian Assange. It makes me wonder if you personally have something to hide. Given that Obama was willing to let things drop, it leads me to mistrust your judgement, your integrity, or your health.
Take a nap, get some rest, and think it over again. Not only does Assange deserve much better from our country
but so do its citizens.
I’d appreciate hearing from you on this. We Need Whistle Blowers!
I feel the MSM is complicit in the administration’s decision.
The MSM is owned by the government. It is doing the job the imperialists want done. I.e., lying.
He’s a DS Player so expect more war
It seems obvious to me, that at this point their only goal is to murder Assange. They know he is in poor physical and mental health. They keep him in solitary confinement, will not provide him warm clothes in a cell with no heat, and won’t provide him the health care he needs, plus they have chosen to fill his wing with all the Covid prisoners.
It is murder by process and neglect.
Wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Yes, who needs the stupid repetition of “risks 175 years in prison” when the idea is to let him die quickly? With “justice” like that provided by Baraitser, if he stays in the conditions that led to his “fragility” he will probably die before the extradition.
For the USA to dare to accuse Russia or China of human rights abuses, and to pretend they care about “fake news” should be seen as the evidence that no matter who is “in power” in the USA, anyone who crosses the TB will be destroyed. When the law allows a POTUS to perform this disgraceful action against an innocent man for telling the truth about US war crimes, who is not at risk?
sorry—PTB, whoever they are!
Really the only question left now in my mind is whether poor Julian will live long enough to even get into the vehicle that the US wants to use to extradite his foolish ass for telling the truth. I reckon he should have known better – what do you think? I think the reckoning is only beginning. I think basically the European Union has entirely surrendered it’s legal jurisdiction in its own lands and the UK is totally now a full-fledged puppet of the US. The US owns the UK after this goes down.
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Frankly, I am very worried he is close to death.
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I want the man to be in a safe house before he dies, and I’m telling you no matter the outcome at this point in time being that no remedy has even been considered……I’m saying bigger hands are now forced into play and the ripples will be magnificent. Julian, at a minimum, would take satisfaction in this, I believe, and if I was there with him, I’d tell him this – I’d tell him to take solace because he has made a difference. I can sort of imagine what he is thinking, but that is only because I have been in prison myself. But, what he has endured is orders of magnitude worse than my experience and it must have tired his mind to the point where he doesn’t want to live anymore. I completely understand that, but I hope I’m wrong.
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The die has been cast and now this show has moved into its final moments, and I’m afraid to prognosticate but I don’t think it is gonna be perty. I’m sad about this. The easy way out of the maze has already been eclipsed and now the consequences will soon be evident for all to sense. God help us all and the psychopaths who are the cause of this are fixing to get a swift comeuppance. Mark these words. I’ll be back to say this again if I’m still alive to say it.
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Peace,
BK
It is time to flood the White House with calls and emails, protesting this deplorable decision. Uncle Joe, we hear, is a “decent man.” But when it comes to dealing with Assange, who exposed the crimes in a war for which Biden was a major cheerleader, we find Biden’s not quite so decent, but rather another retread Neo-con.
Fucking unconscionable!
The War on reporting the Truth continues!
Washington, par l’intermédiaire de son Nazgul Biden, impose toutes les sanctions pour détruire et annihiler tous ceux ou toutes celles qui se retrouvent sur leur route de pillage et de ravage. L’impérialisme de la BÊTE, la dictature bourgeoise affairiste cléricale libérale, ne tolère absolument pas aucune autre voie salutaire. Le nombrilisme de la Bête est unique et sans partage.
La DICTATURE USA veut la tête d’un innocent. Le NAZGUL Biden fera tout en son pouvoir pour montrer à l’humanité toute la barbarie de la Bête de Washington. Il ira chasser la tête de l’éthique journalistique, Julian Assange, par les méthodes habituelles: hypocrisie, mensonge, crime contre l’humanité, tout ce que les USA peuvent sortir de plus vil et de plus perfide; rien ne les arrête, vous vous souvenez des commandos de la mort en Amérique centrale sous Reagan?
Joe Biden—- another fraud of a president.
I suppose that you put Victoria “F the EU,” Nuland in charge? I’m sorry that you are such a wimp about Truth and Justice.
Wow just wow, Joe Biden, because like that really old Marlon Brando movie:
” You coulda been a contender.” But —— braindead, you are and and yet you never put on boxing gloves. I would have hoped that fighting for the First Amendment would be worth something. Guess not. You make me so sad.
As far as I can determine, the Biden administration also provided NO explanation for WHY they are taking this completely retrograde and cruel decision in spite of Baraitser’s warnings that there is a substantial suicide risk involved in extradition. Perhaps it is because they have all come to believe in their own Big Lie, namely, that it was the nefarious, never to be specified “Russians” who “hacked” the DNC server, “stole” the emails and then gave them to Wikileaks from where Assange published them.
All it takes to learn that this narrative has been thoroughly refuted is about 10 minutes of time searching the apposite articles via Google, but, just like the sycophantic MSM, the last thing they want to run into is the TRUTH. [Cf. their similar, and so far successful “eyes wide shut” cover up of the murder of Seth Rich.]
In any case, it is now incumbent upon all of us who support Julian’s freedom to demand that the government provide us with some good reasons and arguments for why they are making this heinous decision. It will, of course, be impossible for them to provide any account that is coherent and humane. And thus we can pounce upon their pathetic ratocinations and expose them for the concatenations of misleading, specious, and immoral claims they will be, — at least unless they can come up with some better material than the preposterousness they tried to pass off at Old Bailey.
The big problem we now face, however, is finding some way to hold them accountable for the reckless life-destroying action they are now taking. You can be certain that THEY will never provide any such rationalizations on their own but rather try to bury the story as soon as possible just as the reprehensible MSM will gladly do as well. “Assange? Assange who? Oh right that guy who leaked our top secrets and raped some Swedish women, right?” As long as they can get away with that kind of total falsification coupled with otherwise merely refusing to discuss the matter, we will lose. Thus please let me call on all of those of you in the ALTERNATIVE MEDIA TO DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO DEMAND THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE SOME CASE for this sickening action strongly opposed by people and organizations of good will around the globe!
No surprise here. All Biden has done is disappoint and will continue to do so.
Did not expect any significant change with administrations.
All we have gotten is rejoining Paris climate accord, curtailing some weapons sales to Saudi Arabia for killing WaPo journalist, lip service against private prisons, and greater diversity of warmongers and corporate tools.
I don’t know why anyone would be “disappointed” in Biden’s actions so far. His criminal history was out there for anyone to see.
No one said it was a surprise or a disappointment. It is still an outrage.
Yes, it’s been completely predictable and will remain so without strong citizen intervention.
I am not a lawyer, but Baraitser declared Assange “discharged’ and then promptly locked him up again. This seems to me to be an abuse of process? Is there anything that Assanges’ lawyers can do about this particular point?
Not only that- she returned him to the very conditions which caused his state of ill-health.
How such person can be part of “justice” after being delegated by Lady Arbuthbot whose fairness was more than in doubt (husband and son in military situation revealed by Wikileaks) then gleefully following the orders of her boss in agreeing with the blatant lies of the US “charges”, is a disgrace in itself.
It is called British justice, once a paragon in the minds of us observers, but it has always been the protector of the upper class in the UK, here seen as the protector of the ideas of the powerful.
Jon T, I am puzzled by what you say as well. When Baraitser denied bail in early January, an appeal of that ruling of some sort was to be filed within a couple of days. I cannot say I have read/listened to everything about this case since, but if there has been any such action, I missed it. Maybe it’s a dumb question, but I am not embarrassed to ask it. What happened? Was it not filed? Was it filed, but the actual judge above Baraitser’s status is sitting on it? Was it quietly denied without even the courtesy of a hearing? If someone knows, please say something. If the status of any such action is not allowed to be commented upon for reasons of ‘state security’, absurd as that sounds to me, a ‘no comment’ will do; sadly, not nicely, but it’ll do.