US government wins first appeal battle in fight to extradite Julian Assange – The Age

The US government is arguing that Assange is capable of resisting suicide and, in the High Court, repeated its offer for the Australian to serve out any sentence in his home country rather than the US.

The full appeal will be heard on October 27 and 28.

Edward Fitzgerald, QC, representing Assange, sought to comfort the Australian, whom he spoke to from the courtroom via a video link, after the decision.

Its only a preliminary ruling, its not the end of the line at all, just saying its arguable and weve at least got a clear idea of the case weve got to meet for the full hearing, Fitzgerald told Assange.

Supporters gathered outside as the High Court heard a US appeal in the extradition case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.Credit:Getty Images

The conversation was streamed to journalists reporting remotely and was supposed to have been private, but Fitzgerald repeatedly warned Assange that it was likely their discussion was being broadcast.

I wont say any more, Julian, or invite you to say too much because people might be listening in, he said.

Loading

But Assange said he could not comprehend the reasoning behind the decision. I just dont understand how ... an expert has a legal obligation to protect people from harm, my children in particular, he said, an apparent reference to Kopelmans decision to omit referring to Moris and their two children.

The 50-year-old had been expected to appear in person at the Royal Courts of Justice but instead appeared via a video link, seated on a sofa in a room at Belmarsh Prison where he has been imprisoned for almost two years.

He appeared dishevelled, his white hair straggly and grown out to the base of his neck. He wore a white shirt with the collar unbuttoned and a burgundy tie undone and hanging around his neck. His face mask covered only his mouth, leaving his nose exposed.

The US government is pursuing Assange for espionage, arguing he conspired with Chelsea Manning, then an army intelligence officer, to hack into government systems to steal three-quarters of a million secret and classified cables that WikiLeaks dumped, unredacted, online.

Assange says he is a whistleblower and journalist, but this was rejected by the judge overseeing his extradition hearing who said his actions went beyond that of a whistleblower.

If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114.

Read more here:

US government wins first appeal battle in fight to extradite Julian Assange - The Age