Assange ruling right – for the wrong reason
MANY readers will see the news of Julian Assange’s extradition being blocked (“Assange extradition blocked over health”, Post, January 5) as just another newspaper article, but the essence of this hearing runs through our journalistic expression ethos, and for our courts to be independent of foreign influence.
Julian Assange’s extradition to the US on charges of espionage and hacking cannot continue.
This ruling by District Judge Vanessa Baraitser is a hollow victory, alas, not won on the grounds that ought to form the basis of opposing extradition to the USA. The legal basis of the ruling is extradition would damage his mental health. The Wikileaks founder has recurrent depressive disorder. And, as he was likely to be locked away in a maximum security prison, where he could find a method to commit suicide.
District Judge Baraitser’s arguments were right for the wrong reason. That an English Court has ruled the US prison system goes against even the basics of a citizen’s rights, however this case has more to do with a free press, and their ability to expose atrocities committed by the world’s leading superpower.
The USA could lodge an appeal to get the decision overruled, However when applying the case of Harry Dunn, the Americans would be advised to steer clear of the English legal system. As Harry
Dunn was a 19-year-old who died in a road traffic accident on August 27, 2019, when he was riding his motorcycle near Croughton, Northamptonshire, opposite the exit to RAF Croughton, when a car travelling in the opposite direction collided with him.
Harry’s family have been trying to get Ms Anne Sacoolas a former CIA operative, extradited from the USA to stand trial for her part in their son’s death. At the time of the accident Ms. Sacoolas was living on the airbase. This has lead to legal difficulties, as anywhere in the UK, that is used by Americans automatically gets diplomatic immunity for US personnel on the bases. This privilege came about in the early 1940s. Should the dispensation be extended to 2021?
Nigel J Starbuck
Bingham