٠٠:٠٣:٠٣Dozens of supporters gathered outside London’s High Court on Tuesday as the extradition trial of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange commenced, sparking global attention on the fate of the journalist who faces potential extradition to the United States.
Footage from the scene captured protesters brandishing flags, banners, and signs bearing messages such as 'Free Assange' and 'Freedom for Julian Assange', highlighting the solidarity felt among those advocating for Assange's cause.
One protester emphasised the trial's significance in the context of press freedom and government accountability, stating, "It is really about how censorship is currently occurring... If the press can't do it, who else is going to do it? Who else will hold the government into account?"
Another protester highlighted the broader implications of Assange's case on free speech and the integrity of Western democracies, asserting, "Assange's case exposes the lies and shame of Western liberal democracies... for as long as Assange is in jail, we have no free speech."
Kristinn Hrafnsson, Editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, expressed dismay at the proceedings, casting doubt on the notion of 'open justice'. "If this is what you call open justice, then I don’t know what open justice is. This is absurd," he remarked.
The trial marks the first day of a two-day hearing scheduled for February 20-21. Assange faces 18 charges from US authorities following the publication of thousands of military and diplomatic documents relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Last year, a High Court judge ruled that Assange had no legal grounds to challenge his extradition, which was approved in 2022 by then-home secretary Priti Patel.
Assange remains in the UK’s Belmarsh Prison, where he has been held since being arrested in April 2019 after being dragged from the Ecuadorian Embassy.
'If press can't do it, who else?' – Supporters rally outside London's High Court as Assange's extradition trial begins
Dozens of supporters gathered outside London’s High Court on Tuesday as the extradition trial of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange commenced, sparking global attention on the fate of the journalist who faces potential extradition to the United States.
Footage from the scene captured protesters brandishing flags, banners, and signs bearing messages such as 'Free Assange' and 'Freedom for Julian Assange', highlighting the solidarity felt among those advocating for Assange's cause.
One protester emphasised the trial's significance in the context of press freedom and government accountability, stating, "It is really about how censorship is currently occurring... If the press can't do it, who else is going to do it? Who else will hold the government into account?"
Another protester highlighted the broader implications of Assange's case on free speech and the integrity of Western democracies, asserting, "Assange's case exposes the lies and shame of Western liberal democracies... for as long as Assange is in jail, we have no free speech."
Kristinn Hrafnsson, Editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, expressed dismay at the proceedings, casting doubt on the notion of 'open justice'. "If this is what you call open justice, then I don’t know what open justice is. This is absurd," he remarked.
The trial marks the first day of a two-day hearing scheduled for February 20-21. Assange faces 18 charges from US authorities following the publication of thousands of military and diplomatic documents relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Last year, a High Court judge ruled that Assange had no legal grounds to challenge his extradition, which was approved in 2022 by then-home secretary Priti Patel.
Assange remains in the UK’s Belmarsh Prison, where he has been held since being arrested in April 2019 after being dragged from the Ecuadorian Embassy.
Dozens of supporters gathered outside London’s High Court on Tuesday as the extradition trial of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange commenced, sparking global attention on the fate of the journalist who faces potential extradition to the United States.
Footage from the scene captured protesters brandishing flags, banners, and signs bearing messages such as 'Free Assange' and 'Freedom for Julian Assange', highlighting the solidarity felt among those advocating for Assange's cause.
One protester emphasised the trial's significance in the context of press freedom and government accountability, stating, "It is really about how censorship is currently occurring... If the press can't do it, who else is going to do it? Who else will hold the government into account?"
Another protester highlighted the broader implications of Assange's case on free speech and the integrity of Western democracies, asserting, "Assange's case exposes the lies and shame of Western liberal democracies... for as long as Assange is in jail, we have no free speech."
Kristinn Hrafnsson, Editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, expressed dismay at the proceedings, casting doubt on the notion of 'open justice'. "If this is what you call open justice, then I don’t know what open justice is. This is absurd," he remarked.
The trial marks the first day of a two-day hearing scheduled for February 20-21. Assange faces 18 charges from US authorities following the publication of thousands of military and diplomatic documents relating to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Last year, a High Court judge ruled that Assange had no legal grounds to challenge his extradition, which was approved in 2022 by then-home secretary Priti Patel.
Assange remains in the UK’s Belmarsh Prison, where he has been held since being arrested in April 2019 after being dragged from the Ecuadorian Embassy.