London The deadline for the British government to decide on the controversial extradition of Julian Assange is coming to an end. Therefore, the assets and supporters of the founder of WikiLeaks have raised their tone and are strongly pushing for the decision to favor Assange and not send him to the United States.
He is one of the leaders of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) movement. A new petition has been launched asking British Home Secretary Priti Patel to refuse the journalist’s extradition. With a target of 50,000, nearly 40,000 people have already signed the document online.
Other organizations, such as the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have also taken action to support Assange. His wife, Stella, has been actively talking on social media as she is staying in the UK. “Julian’s place is for his children,” she wrote in one of her Twitter posts.
Before ‘D-Day’, supporters hold a protest outside the ministry
on April 20, British court returns case of WikiLeaks founder to UK Home OfficeHeaded by Interior Minister Priti Patel.
As of this date, Julian Assange’s lawyers had four weeks to file a statement and prevent extradition – that period will expire on May 18. From that day forward, Patel can approve or reject the extradition order to the United States at any time.
Assange has been wanted by US justice since 2010 for posting military secrets on the WikiLeaks website, responding to prosecutions in the country that could lead to 175 years in prison. The US was able to reverse the January 2021 decision banning extradition due to the journalist’s mental health condition.
Judging by the UK’s track record in the case, it will not be easy for the defense to prevent the extradition of Julian Assange.
The country is a historic US ally. And Patel is a controversial political figure known for his radical stance against illegal immigrants and dividing British public opinion.
In this context, organizations that defend freedom of the press and support Assange’s release are mobilizing to prevent extradition.
RSF’s new petition justifies its call for him to stay in the UK, as he “fully believes Assange has made a significant contribution to journalism” by publicizing “war crimes and human rights abuses” committed by the US military.
“While the case against Assange was brought by the US government, the UK government failed to protect journalism and freedom of the press in its treatment of Assange and had Assange in detention for more than three years. Belmarsh, London, UK is committed to promoting media freedom globally and contrasts sharply with his commitment to conservation.”
The organization also highlights the risks to Assange’s mental and physical health if he is sent to the United States. He suffered a “minor stroke” during the British Supreme Court’s consideration of his case in October 2021.
“Even if the US government fulfills its diplomatic assurances regarding his treatment, serious risks to mental health will be severely exacerbated under the conditions of extradition to the US.
Simply put, his life is at risk if Assange is extradited to the United States.”
Petition can be signed here connection.
A protest was also scheduled for Tuesday (17) at 18:00 (London time) in front of the UK Home Office. British journalist John Pilger shared information about the show on Twitter.
“Home Secretary Priti Patel is about to announce her decision on whether to extradite Julian Assange to the United States. The journalist who exposed the crimes of the governments is fighting for his life.
Raise your voice in front of the Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London, on Tuesday at 6pm.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel is about to announce her decision on whether to continue Julian. #Assange It will be returned to the USA. The journalist who exposed the crimes of the governments is fighting for his life. On Tuesday, at 6:00 p.m., raise your voice in front of the Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London.
— John Pilger (@johnpilger) 16 May 2022
The IFJ also shared another petition on Twitter that put pressure on the British government. “We, journalists and news organizations around the world, express our deep concern for Assange’s well-being, his continued detention and the brutal allegations of espionage.
???? “We, journalists and journalistic organizations around the world, express our grave concern over Mr Assange’s health, his continued detention and the brutal accusations of espionage”
We invite you to sign this open letter in support of #Assange ???? https://t.co/2jkT9MeBF5 pic.twitter.com/optByhXiWx
– IFJ (@IFJGlobal) May 13, 2022
From the petition act Raise your voice for AssangeOrganized by and for journalists against the arrest and now extradition of the WikiLeaks founder. More than 1,800 people from 170 countries have signed the document, the organization said. check it domain more information.
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Assange’s prison wedding party threw outside and social media mobilization
Last week, activists staged a protest outside the prison where Assange was held. Protester Maria Gallestegui used red spray paint on the prison wall to send a message to Patel, but was stopped by local agents.
In addition, placards and banners reading “Free Assange” were carried by the fans.
Peace activist Maria Gallestegui sprayed a message to the Minister of the Interior, @pritipatelon your wall @hmpbelmarsh & tried to use a drill in a fake escape attempt as a protest #Julian Assangeupcoming return.@StellaMoris1 @wikileaks#FreeAssangeNOW #Freedom of the press pic.twitter.com/L3diovWkJ4
— Real Media (@RealMediaGB) 12 May 2022
The Hole in the Wall gang arrives in Belmarsh today to protest the arrest and extradition (death sentence) of Julian Assange by trying to break in. #Julian Assange #belmarsh #protest
#freeassange #freeassangenow #freedom of the press pic.twitter.com/HR6rhe4R3i— Guy Smallman (@GuySmallman) 12 May 2022
Elsewhere in Europe, Italian activists launched a virtual crowdfunding campaign to place billboards demanding the release of the WikiLeaks founder.
“If you believe in freedom of expression, if you believe in justice and transparency, donate now and show your faith! This awareness campaign is up to you. Assange’s free billboards in Italy” reads the promotional text on social media.
If you believe in freedom of expression, justice and transparency, please donate now and let your beliefs be felt! This awareness campaign is up to you. Free Assange billboards in Italy: https://t.co/4dOYLMKZtg #FreeAssangeNOW
— Beans???? (@SomersetBean) 12 May 2022
Wife presses against Assange’s extradition on social media
Stella Assange, who formalized her union with the journalist in March, is now her top spokesperson. On social media, she strengthened the calls and spread of campaigns that pressured the British government to refuse the extradition of her husband.
It belongs to the Julian children. Help us regain your freedom:
Campaign costshttps://t.co/HdfIeEL12M
Legal costshttps://t.co/eNnkLS9knQ pic.twitter.com/rViTzbtj84
— Stella Assange #FreeAssangeNOW (@StellaMoris1) April 26, 2022
The couple met in 2011 while defecting at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he spent nearly seven years.
Stella Moris, a lawyer with a maiden name, was hired to defend the WikiLeaks founder, who was trying to avoid extradition to Sweden, where she responded to a sexual assault case that was closed without trial.
However, he remained in the building to protect himself against extradition to the US and left in 2019 after the diplomatic mission authorized British police to arrest him. The couple started their love affair in 2015 and they have two children named Gabriel and Max. four and two years old, respectively.
Assange’s wife (17) attended the screening of a documentary about the journalist in London on Tuesday.
Julian Assange documentary screening at Curzon Cinema
May 18, 18:00 GMT, London
Q&A with @ApsanaBegumMP, @StellaMoris1 and @lopezclara2#FreeAssangeNOW
Get your tickets here: https://t.co/BDBJbnZIar pic.twitter.com/jdV9WnM2aa— Do Not Return Assange (@DEAcampaign) May 13, 2022
In April, after the Assange case returned to the Ministry of the Interior, Stella attended a demonstration in Brussels to support her husband.
In an interview with AFP, he asked the British government not to sign Assange’s extradition order to the United States, considering that his future now rests at the mercy of a “political decision” that “will have repercussions for the whole of Europe”.
“This is a European problem where the heart of democratic values is at stake. The decision will have repercussions for the whole world, for journalists across Europe.”
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source: Noticias
