Assange in last-ditch court plea
Source: Agencies |
December 5, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
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JULIAN Assange is making what could be a last throw of the legal dice in his battle to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex crimes allegations.
Today, the WikiLeaks founder will ask judges to let him take his case to Britain's Supreme Court. If they say no, he could be on a plane within days.
The 40-year-old Australian behind the secret-spilling website has spent almost a year fighting extradition for questioning over claims of rape and molestation made by two Swedish women. So far, two courts have ruled against him.
For his case to be considered by the Supreme Court, lawyers must persuade two High Court judges that it raises a question of "general public importance."
According to a website devoted to arguing Assange's case, his lawyers will seek to argue two points - that the European arrest warrant for Assange is invalid because it was not issued by the correct authority, and that he should not be extradited because he has not been charged with any crime.
Assange's hearing today comes on the same day as a parliamentary debate on Britain's extradition rules. The House of Commons will debate and vote on demands to change extradition agreements that require Britain to transfer individuals to the United States and Europe - sometimes on insufficient evidence, critics say.
Today, the WikiLeaks founder will ask judges to let him take his case to Britain's Supreme Court. If they say no, he could be on a plane within days.
The 40-year-old Australian behind the secret-spilling website has spent almost a year fighting extradition for questioning over claims of rape and molestation made by two Swedish women. So far, two courts have ruled against him.
For his case to be considered by the Supreme Court, lawyers must persuade two High Court judges that it raises a question of "general public importance."
According to a website devoted to arguing Assange's case, his lawyers will seek to argue two points - that the European arrest warrant for Assange is invalid because it was not issued by the correct authority, and that he should not be extradited because he has not been charged with any crime.
Assange's hearing today comes on the same day as a parliamentary debate on Britain's extradition rules. The House of Commons will debate and vote on demands to change extradition agreements that require Britain to transfer individuals to the United States and Europe - sometimes on insufficient evidence, critics say.
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