British Judge Vanessa Baraitser has ruled against US extradition for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, but not for the reasons she should have. Baraitser's frightening ruling supported virtually every US prosecutorial argument that was made during the extradition trial, no matter how absurd and Orwellian. This includes
Unfortunately, if this is not appealed it will be cited as a precedent for the underlying charges in future cases where the US wants to shut a journalist up.
In other words, without saying it, the court is saying that the UK successfully tortured Assange for the USA, therefore the USA doesn't need to extradite him to punish him any further. This was a good decision for all the wrong reasons. The judge was trying to please their USA masters by delivering a decision that did not challenge the merits of the case as alleged. The judge's ruling cited "harsh conditions" in USA jails but did not admit that the harsh conditions in the UK's Belmarsh prison are what has caused Assange's current mental health condition. The judge's decision accepted virtually all of the allegations by the U.S. government as reasonable showing that the judge had no regard for freedom of the press. Assange may now apply for bail, pending the appeal by the US government to a higher court.
I think the DNCC thought about what a public trial of Assange in the US during 2023-2024 election cycle would be like and they wisely decided against it.
Wonderful commentary. Absolutely nailed it 👏
Unfortunately, if this is not appealed it will be cited as a precedent for the underlying charges in future cases where the US wants to shut a journalist up.
In other words, without saying it, the court is saying that the UK successfully tortured Assange for the USA, therefore the USA doesn't need to extradite him to punish him any further. This was a good decision for all the wrong reasons. The judge was trying to please their USA masters by delivering a decision that did not challenge the merits of the case as alleged. The judge's ruling cited "harsh conditions" in USA jails but did not admit that the harsh conditions in the UK's Belmarsh prison are what has caused Assange's current mental health condition. The judge's decision accepted virtually all of the allegations by the U.S. government as reasonable showing that the judge had no regard for freedom of the press. Assange may now apply for bail, pending the appeal by the US government to a higher court.
Thank you for the amazing work you do Caitlin. You are a gem in a quarry of coal.
PERFECT and agreed 100%. Thank you for your eloquence ❤️
I think the DNCC thought about what a public trial of Assange in the US during 2023-2024 election cycle would be like and they wisely decided against it.