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Julian Assange extradition hearing continues despite technical issues

Wednesday, 16 September 2020 3:18 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 16 September 2020 4:14 PM ]

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A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange posts a sign on the Woolwich Crown Court fence, ahead of a hearing to decide whether Assange should be extradited to the United States, in London, Britain February 25, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)

Ahmed Kaballo
Press TV, London

Julian Assange is currently locked into the fight of his life in a trial where if found guilty, he will be extradited to the United States, where he could face up to 175 years inside a maximum security prison, which has been described by an ex-prison warden as fate that is ‘worse than death.’

The eyes of the world are now on the Old Bailey court in London over a case regarding a man many consider to be the world's most famous political prisoner in extradition hearing that many are calling the trial of the century.

According to the prosecutors, the US constitutional first amendment rights that allegedly protect freedom of speech and the freedom of the press do not apply to Assange as he is not an American citizen, although the 18 charges against him have been filed under the United States Espionage Act.

In the United States and the United Kingdom, no publisher has ever been successfully prosecuted for publishing classified information. So, whatever happens in the Assange extradition hearing, the consequences will be far-reaching and will have implications for journalists everywhere.

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