Four years after the imprisonment of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling on the US to drop its extradition request. “We call again on the US government to close the case and allow the release without further delay,” said Rebecca Vincent, the London representative of the press freedom organization, the dpa.
The April 11 anniversary of Assange’s imprisonment coincides with the arrival of US President Joe Biden in the UK.
The US accuses Assange of stealing and publishing classified material from military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and endangering the lives of informants. Supporters see him as a courageous journalist who exposed war crimes.
In principle, the green light for delivery
The legal tug of war over Assange’s possible extradition to the United States has dragged on for years. The British government has given the green light for the extradition in principle, but Assange and his supporters want to use other legal options to lodge an objection.
Assange has been in prison for four years, although he has not been convicted, criticized Vincent. “We are concerned for his safety and for his well-being in prison where his physical and mental health remains at very high risk.”
The wife of the Wikileaks founder, Stella Assange, has recently expressed concern about his condition. He is locked up for up to 20 hours a day and visits are only possible to a very limited extent.
