Assange told by judge he should face courts

A JUDGE has scathingly dismissed an attempt by Julian Assange to overturn an arrest warrant for skipping bail, saying he should have the courage to face the courts.

District Judge Emma Arbuthnot ruled that the Wikileaks founder gave the impression of someone who considered themselves above the law.

Mr Assange argued it was no longer in the public interest to pursue him for failing to answer bail at a police station after moving into the embassy while fighting extradition to face rape charges in Sweden. The 46-year-old – who says he fears extradition to the US for questioning over the activities of Wikileaks if he leaves – accused the UK of a “coverup” to keep him detained.

But Judge Arbuthnot said that far from being “detained” he had effectively restricted his own freedom. Handing down her judgment at West- minster magistrates’ court yesterday she said: “I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Mr Assange has restricted his own freedom for a number of years. Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices.

“He should have the courage to do the same.”