Julian Assange 'will die' if extradited from Britain to the US, his wife warns
Julian Assange's wife has warned the WikiLeaks founder “will die” if he is extradited to the US ahead of his Supreme Court appeal next week.
At a media briefing in central London on Thursday morning, Stella Assange said her husband could be on a plane to the US “within days”.
Assange is awaiting the results of his latest appeal against his extradition to the US, where he faces charges of espionage and up to 175 years in prison.
Mrs Assange, who met her husband when he was part of his legal team, said: 'The situation is extremely serious. He could be on a plane within days.
'His health is deteriorating, both mentally and physically. Every day he is in prison, his life is in danger. If he is extradited, he will die.
Julian Assange, who is accused of espionage and faces up to 175 years in prison, pictured with his wife Stella
'But it's not just about extradition. Julian should never have been in prison in the first place.”
The briefing took place ahead of the 52-year-old's latest appeal, which was due to be heard at the High Court on February 20 and 21.
Ms Assange said the case was “politically motivated” and breaches the extradition treaty between Britain and the US, which bans extradition for political reasons.
She said the “bogus extradition request” would have been rejected by British authorities if it had been made by a country other than the US, adding that she had learned “not to be optimistic” about his case.
The couple have two children together and married in Belmarsh in March 2022.
Mrs Assange, who cried during the briefing, said her husband was “isolated” in prison and spends more than 22 hours a day in captivity.
'I'm very concerned about how he is doing. Physically, he has aged prematurely,” she added.
'Julian will end up in a hole if he is extradited, there is no doubt about that. He'll be put in a hole so far and deep in the ground that I don't think I'll ever see him again.'
Ms Assange said: “The situation is extremely serious. He could be on a plane within days.”
Julian Assange speaks from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in 2017
If his appeal is unsuccessful, Assange said her husband would apply to the European Court of Human Rights to obtain an Article 39 order to halt the extradition while his case is pending takes.
Assange's campaign against extradition is supported by human rights and journalism organizations around the world.
During the briefing at the Royal Over-Seas League, WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said the extradition would set a precedent that has “dark and serious consequences for press freedom around the world.”
The Icelandic investigative journalist said: 'We are seeing a critical attack on press freedom worldwide. It is like a disease: an anti-press pandemic that is creeping up on us and has gradually taken shape over the years.
“And in that sense, Julian Assange has been a canary in the coal mine.”
Rebecca Vincent, campaigns director at Reporters Without Borders, said there had been a lot of “useless noise” and “misconceptions” surrounding the case.
She said: “We defend Julian Assange for his contributions to journalism.
“We believe this case has many implications for journalism and press freedom around the world.”
Ms. Vincent said the U.S. Espionage Act does not provide a “public interest defense” and could be applied to “anyone who publishes stories based on leaked documents.”
Supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court
Stella Assange with Wikileaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson
Assange is wanted in the US over an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information following the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He denies any wrongdoing.
In a January 2021 ruling, then-District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said he should not be sent to the US, citing a real and “oppressive” risk of suicide, while ruling against him on all other issues.
US authorities successfully appealed this decision to the Supreme Court, paving the way for extradition.
In June last year, Assange lost his appeal against a judge's ruling on whether he should be extradited. He will make his final appeal to the Supreme Court next week.