Julian Assange Wins Ability to Appeal Extradition

On May 20, 2024May 21, 2024 By thinkcarebelieveIn Articles and Press Releases, Julian Assange1 Comment

#JulianAssange #FreeAssange

The Decision:

The judges of the UK High Court grant Mr. Julian Assange the permission to appeal on grounds 4 and 5 (related to discrimination based on his nationality and the First Amendment) and on all counts.

“In respect of the appeal in relation S 103 of the Extradition Act we have decided to give legal appeal on grounds 4 and 5 on all counts on the second superseding indictment. *Court adjourned*”

Live Updates during Court Proceedings:

Taylor Hudak on Telegram: https://t.me/taylorhudak

Richard Medhurst on X: https://x.com/richimedhurst

Free Assange on X: https://x.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1792489032351367519

May 20, 2024 Press Conference:

All day Video feed: Press Conference is at 8:15:45 in video: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1OyJAWYeNraKb

LONDON- Stella Assange speaking outside just after leaving the courtroom following the announcement of the decision: “Please, for those the United States in the position to make the decision, please just drop this case now.” Her husband, journalist Julian Assange’s Case heard a decision if he was allowed to appeal the extradition to the U.S. for Espionage Act allegations. A little later, Stella continued, “It was a short day but it was a tense few moments before the decision was actually delivered. The judges took a break that they said was going to be 10 minutes but I think it was closer to a half an hour. But when they came back, they granted leave to appeal on grounds that Julian would be discriminated against and excluded from Constitutional protections under the First Amendment. The judges obviously saw the problem here, that the United States is applying its secrecy laws into this country, it’s applying its secrecy laws internationally, and yet saying at the same time that if you’re not a U.S. citizen, and if you’re abroad that you won’t have access to Constitutional protections, and the judges were deeply disturbed by this, I would say, and allowed the leave to appeal.”

Stella brightened as she went on, “While I was speaking to Julian I heard a knock on the door and I could hear the guard saying ‘Congratulations today’ and ‘it’s time to go to exercise’ and so our conversation came to an end. but thankfully it meant that he was able to go out into the yard and enjoy the sunshine that we have today. He was obviously relieved, he hadn’t slept all night, and he’s under enormous pressure. It’s hard for all of us, but just imagine what it’s like for Julian who has been in Belmarsh for over 5 years, and who has had to endure this grueling process from inside his cell, and isolated from everyone, and from a distance. So it’s a very good sign today. I think the US Administration should take this as a moment to drop the case, and to just put an end to it, and distance itself from this terrible prosecution, which this administration did not initiate, and should have put an end to already.”

Assange attorney Barry Pollack stated that the United States never should have brought this case. It is utterly inconsistent with First Amendment values while the United States should take a look at this and make a decision as to whether this is what they should be pursuing due to flawed prosecution. Pollack later said that as things stand now, it’s not clear whether Julian will be allowed to argue only on counts 4 and 5 that the court said were related directly to journalism, or whether Assange will be able to argue based on all of the counts, which would be clearly quite significant, and a good reason for the United States to rethink pursuing this further.” When asked to clarify further, Pollack offered, “The US tried to confine it to just three of the Espionage Act counts and at least from what the justices said today in court, they rejected that argument and are going to hear the appeal on all of the charges.”

WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson explained “The signaling in a wider context should result in one thing, that the Biden Administration takes a serious look at the damage it’s done to its reputation and actually ends this case, before more damage is being done, that is the only just solution, is to end this, not in prolonged proceedings in court rooms here in London, or the European Court of Human Rights, but in the political arena in D.C., where it all started, and should never have started, so its the right thing to do and I believe that that is the clear signal that came out of the Royal Courts of Justice today.”

Reporters Without Borders Advocate Rebecca Vincent was on hand to affirm the importance of what is happening here because it is the first time that the UK court has nodded in the direction of the freedom of expression grounds, that are at the heart of the Assange Case. “The heart of this case will now get the chance for full consideration which opens a path of legal prevention of extradition.” She added that it is critical that we all stay with it and that campaigns continue, because the case is at a point where it is in Biden’s power to bring it to a close. “The UK Court has taken a step toward protecting journalism and press freedom, that those in Washington who are responsible for this will take note and think carefully about how to proceed. We expect better from the country of the First Amendment and we hope that this is indeed the beginning of the end of this ceaseless prosecution.”

Assange’s brother, Gabriel Shipton reiterated Attorney Pollack’s remarks that this is an opportunity for the DoJ to look at this and bring it to a close. Adding that President Biden said just last month that he was considering dropping this case in answer to Australian Parliament’s request for Assange’s release. Julian Assange’s brother, Gabriel Shipton, travels to Washington tomorrow, May 21, 2024 to build awareness of House Resolution 934 which has 11 co-sponsors now, to build more signers to the #HRes934 to protect journalism under the First Amendment and to drop the charges against journalist, Julian Assange. He asks Americans to keep signing petitions, calling Representatives, writing them, and making appointments to visit with them to educate them about the importance of Assange’s freedom.

It’s obvious that today, the sun shone through and people are seeing what is so important. We take this win and let it built and stay more mobilized and join our voices and only become louder. Next step, all parties will communicate to the court their availability and a date will be set for the appeal hearing. The question was asked if Assange would be allowed out on bail until his appeal and that is a possibility that will be explored further.

“Today marks a turning point, we spent a long time listening to the United States putting lipstick on a pig, but the judges did not buy it!” Stella Assange said staunchly. “It becomes clear to everyone that Julian is in prison for doing good journalism.” Stella has been doing the job of mother and father of their two sons, Gabriel (who just turned 7) and Max (5) while Julian has been in prison. She gives interviews and knows every detail of this case, always maintaining laser focus. Also, this week, 31 members of British Parliament lent their support for Assange’s release. The International Federation of Journalists was on hand to give their full support for Julian Assange and for press freedom. it has over 6,000 members worldwide all asserting their support along with free speech advocates, human rights groups, activists, law professors and lawyers, lawmakers and heads of state all voicing that it is time to let Julian Assange have his freedom back. IFJ President Dominque Pradalié said: “The judges have made the right decision – the threat to free speech that this prosecution creates should be of concern to us all. So too should the health of Julian Assange – at least he can now plead his case. He should be freed at once.”

Official Defend Assange Press Release:

https://assangedefense.org/hearing-coverage/julian-assange-granted-partial-leave-to-appeal

The fight for Julian Assange’s freedom means:

~Our rights to speak freely are hindered.

~The freedom of our reporters and journalists.

~The ability to publish the truth.

~The ability to hold governments accountable.

~The right to know the truth.

~Freedom from censorship.

~Saving the life of a journalist who did his job well.

Supporters take action all around the world.

The investigation report and mandate written by UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer on Julian Assange’s detainment and treatment.

Assange Team PreDecision Press Conference

On May 15, 2024May 16, 2024 By thinkcarebelieveIn Articles and Press Releases1 Comment

London, England- A Press conference was held today at the Foreign Press Association prior to the UK High Court extradition decision for Julian Assange. ThinkCareBelieve thinks this is important because if Julian Assange is extradited to the United States, he stands little chance of winning in the Eastern District of Virginia Court, which has earned the nick-name “Espionage Court” and if Assange is convicted, that precedent would be open to be used against any journalist, publisher, reporter, blogger, social media user, or common citizen. This is enough of an incentive to forget what we’ve heard in the media in the past and independently look at the facts of this case and ask ourselves what we stand for.

Speakers on the panel: Julian’s wife Stella Assange, WikiLeaks Editor Kristinn Hrafnsson, Assange’s Attorney Jen Robinson, and Reporters Without Borders Director Rebecca Vincent.

Links to Recorded Previously Live Press Conference:

Reuters on X- https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1YpKkwYBaDPKj

The Independent on YouTube- https://youtu.be/DKC6MUPAR2c?si=jqR3QrazCKYf1p2X

Reuters on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/live/GmN3GFtCJL8?si=iDy9f8-zchhx3D01

Important Points Shared at This Press Conference:

“This case is of huge legal significance, not just for Julian but for journalists everywhere. The Australian government has put their support behind Julian Assange. We are working closely with our Prime Minister and our Attorney General and the Australian government to try to seek a resolution of this case and we continue to demand that Julian be released and this case be brought to an end and he be brought to Australia.” -Jen Robinson, Assange Attorney via remote

“This is institutional corruption on a judicial level. Julian Assange is a political prisoner. It’s abundantly clear, and I hope that you can look into the details of the case where the evidence is basically screaming at you.” -Kristinn Hrafnsson, Editor of WikiLeaks

“Julian is just one decision away from being extradited. If the judges find against him on Monday then there will be no further avenues for appeal in the UK, and the UK will move to extradite him. The timing is uncertain, but we know that in other cases, other national security cases of extraditions to the United States, the person has been extradited within 24 hours of the decision. The United States has been given opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to change its case in order to get Julian extradited. Initially it lost in January 2021. That was the initial Magistrate’s decision to deny extradition based on the mental health and physical conditions that Julian would be placed under, if extradited, and then once that decision came through, the United States was allowed to change its case by issuing so-called assurances, which the High Court then accepted, and an extradition order was issued and then Priti Patel who at the time was the UK Home Secretary in June of 2022, issued her approval of the extradition as well. Julian then requested permission to appeal to the High Court which was initially denied, and then when he sought a separate panel of High Court Judges to review that decision, which is the current panel that Julian is before, in February they gave a provisional permission to appeal to the High Court, and that provisional permission is subject to U.S. so-called assurances. Now think about how bizarre this case is, where the U.S. has not only been allowed 2 sets of assurances, but also 3 sets of indictments. It seems that they are given endless chances to change their case in order to get Julian extradited to face 175 years for publishing evidence of U.S. war crimes.” – Stella Assange, Wife of Julian Assange

“We agree with the assessment that this is a political case. We don’t know what will happen in the event for example with the return of Trump whose DoJ brought this case in the first place. President Biden has the chance still to be the President who put an end to this, who acted in the interest of press freedom and journalism, rather than enabling this very dangerous prosecution that will tarnish the reputation of the country of the First Amendment.” -Rebeca Vincent, Reporters without Borders

Notable Guest in Attendance at Press Conference:

The rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Sunna Ævarsdóttir (Iceland, SOC), just wrapped up a thorough investigation into Assange’s case was in attendance at the Press Conference to answer questions. Sunna states, “As noted in the motion underlying my mandate, Julian Assange’s harsh treatment risks deterring others who wish to report truthful information pertaining to armed conflicts,” said Ms Ævarsdóttir. “Whether or not he is extradited, his prosecution and lengthy detention already risk deterring other whistle-blowers and journalists from reporting on various transgressions of governments or powerful private parties.”

https://pace.coe.int/en/news/9462/pace-rapporteur-ending-visit-to-julian-assange-in-belmarsh-prison-expresses-deep-concern-for-his-well-being

ThinkCareBelieve believes that when we take a look at the ideals and practices for which Julian Assange stands, we can see him as a man of integrity. He has a moral and social intelligence that shines through his work and his talks in educating the public on how to empower themselves with knowledge against a state of increasingly diminished rights. Julian Assange changed journalism forever by employing the practice of “Scientific Journalism” which printed the source documentation alongside the articles for verification of facts.

Official AssangeDefense Press Releases can be found at: https://assangedefense.org/press-releases/

You can read the investigation report about Julian Assange from Nils Melzer, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and his mandate here: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=24838

How Julian Assange Shocked the Media

On April 6, 2024May 10, 2024 By thinkcarebelieveIn Articles and Press Releases, Julian AssangeLeave a comment

Discrepancies in facts create disagreements which can lead to wars. The famous quote by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange applies here: “If wars can be started by lies, then peace can be started with truth.” Following the release of the famous Collateral Murder video of 14 years ago, showing U.S. forces gunning down civilians in Iraq, the fact is that drone and helicopter strikes ceased, and the war in Iraq soon ended. Julian Assange has been painted by the media as endangering lives, when in fact the opposite is true.

What Assange did was so new, publishing verifiable documented evidence of what is really going on, that it seemed a radical departure to the traditional narratives and stories told by news outlets relying on public trust and belief in what they are being told. Politicians and the media reported that Assange put lives at risk by publishing source documentation such as war logs and diplomatic cables from whistleblower Chelsea Manning, but the United States admitted in court that there have been no cases where someone has been harmed by WikiLeaks publication of Manning’s disclosures. Witnesses attest that Assange did redact all harmful information and in fact was criticized for over-redacting. Reportedly, anything that was not redacted was already publicly published through other sites such as cryptome.org.

Assange’s innovations in journalism opened up a whole new practice of public awareness and scrutiny using discernment and critical thinking skills. The public began to look for evidential proof of the stories they were being told, and many of them didn’t mind doing the research for themselves. Julian Assange revolutionized journalism by making the source documentation available to the public alongside articles he wrote and lectures he gave. He showed the proof and let the public look it over and see the truth for themselves. When the truth is clear because the facts are made available for all to see, transparency ends disagreements and promotes cooperation between groups and nations.

Assange is a humanitarian and he innovated more ways to solve problems and promote peace. He created a safe and secure way for whistleblowers to upload files because when governments behave recklessly, it has become a tradition for whistleblowers to come forward and disclose information to the public that might cause a government embarrassment. But transparency can lead to a government that operates with integrity and accountability. We cannot continue forward in any healthy or productive manner if a government is censoring the free speech of the public and arresting members of the free press.

What Assange did for the world was provide a way for the public to be sure of the truth, on the basis that a public has a right to know how their government is behaving on their behalf, and public knowledge of knowing what the facts are is part of that. The only benefit to selling narratives and confusing the facts is to keep wars going endlessly so more money can be made from the sale of weapons and the extraction of more taxpayer money.

Unfortunately, the U.S. government hasn’t been able to overcome its embarrassment over the exposure of their conduct in war zones, and opted to criminalize Assange’s work. In a recent interview with Pat Kenny, Assange’s wife Stella explains, “The whole indictment is a set up because he is being accused of doing what journalists do every day, receiving information from Chelsea Manning, processing it, and making it public, and that is described as a criminal conspiracy and criminal act.”

2023- The Year for Julian Assange’s Nobel Peace Prize

On February 1, 2023February 1, 2023 By thinkcarebelieveIn Julian AssangeLeave a comment

Publisher and journalist, Julian Assange, has been nominated for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. The letter written by Professor Marcello Ferrada de Noli, outlining the motivation for Assange’s nomination is a testament to Assange’s work for truth and transparency. People don’t really understand what has been done to Julian Assange, because he has been treated as an enemy by government agencies, when all he has done is tell the truth. Assange exposed government secrecy at the highest level. Can we honestly say the public doesn’t have a right to know or a need to know what their government has been doing in their name, using their money? Assange wanted the truth out about what powerful nations do to people without power who are victims of governments exercising that power, and then covering it up. Publishing the truth allows those governments to reform themselves, but instead they have been using the democratic process to deceive the people and criminalize journalism. Human rights are under threat all over the world. Our actions in support of the public’s right to know and in support of Assange can change the course of human rights globally. Assange’s detainment has been an attempt to silence all journalists for publishing evidence of war crimes, human rights abuses, human rights crimes, and crimes against humanity. For Peace in this world, we need more journalists to stand up and publish the truth, to bring it all out into the Light, in order to keep governments in check.

Here is Professor Ferrada deNoli’s letter.