Julian Assange: Protest to be held at Westminster in support of WikiLeaks founder – The National

More than 1000 people have signed up to form a human chain around the UKParliament in support of Julian Assange.

The WikiLeaks founder has spent more than three years in Belmarsh prison in London as he fights being extradited to the United States.

He is waiting to hear if he can continue his legal battle.

Assange is facing espionage charges in the US after leaking documents on the whistleblowing site the American government insists endanger national security.

Supporters will form a human chain around Parliament on October 8 as part of the campaign for him to be released.

John Rees, who is helping to organise the event, said the legal case is at a critical stage.

He said: We need to redouble our efforts to persuade the UK Parliament to intervene and halt Julians extradition.

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Growing numbers of human rights groups, journalist organisations, politicians, and other campaigners are calling on US President Joe Biden to drop the extradition case.

Earlier this year, anorder to extradite Assange was signed by Home Secretary Priti Patel.

WikiLeaks called it a dark day for press freedom and British democracy.

Assange has been living in Britain since 2012 and was granted asylum by Ecuador, living in its embassy in London until 2019.

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Julian Assange: Protest to be held at Westminster in support of WikiLeaks founder - The National