Julian Paul Assange (born 3 July 1971) is an Australian computer programmer, publisher and journalist. He is a spokesman and editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, which is a website that posts news leaks. He started the website in 2006.[1] He was born in Townsville, Queensland. He also made a program called Rubberhose (file system) to hide secret information in a specific way that protects against torture.<\/p>\n
Assange was the Readers' Choice for Time Person of the Year in 2010[2] after getting the most Internet votes. However, Mark Zuckerberg, who started Facebook, won the actual award.<\/p>\n
In 2012, facing extradition to Sweden, he was granted political asylum by Ecuador and took refuge at the Embassy of Ecuador, London.<\/p>\n
On 11 January 2018, it was announced that Assange had held Ecuadorian citizenshipsince 12 December 2017.[3]<\/p>\n
Ecuadorian President Lenn Moreno said on 27 July 2018 that he had begun talks with British authorities to withdraw the asylum for Assange.[4] On 11 April 2019, Ecuador withdrew Assange's asylum and he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police shortly afterwards.[5] His lawyers said they will fight extradition to the United States.[6]<\/p>\n
In November 2019, it was reported that Assange is in bad health, has depression and \"could die in prison\" if not hospitalized.[7][8]<\/p>\n
The extradition to the United States hearing (a pre-trial discussion in a court) for Assange began in London on February 24, 2020. The next set of hearings is scheduled for May.[9]<\/p>\n
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