‘ Let Assange walk free’
Call for Australian intervention
THE Australian government must urgently intervene to end the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and secure his return home, local campaigners say.
A British court on Monday ruled that Mr Assange could not be extradited to the US on the grounds of his poor mental health. An appeal is expected.
He is wanted by US authorities on charges of computer hacking and espionage for publishing leaked intelligence implicating that nation’s military personnel in war crimes.
Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said the British court decision was good news but Mr Assange’s persecution must end.
“I call on the UK government to release Julian Assange immediately,” he said.
“I call on the e
US President and the US president- elect to drop the extradition and the charges immediately.
“And I call again on the Australian Prime Minister, who claims to have a very good relationship with the US and the UK administrations, for him to pick up the phone and to talk some sense into Boris Johnson and Donald Trump and to implore them very, very strongly to allow the man to go free to be with his family in London and to be allowed to return to Australia if that’s what he wishes.”
Hobart barrister Greg Barns, SC, has acted as an adviser to the Assange campaign since 2013.
He said there were two more rounds of appeal possible, but common should prevail.
“It could end tomorrow. It could end tomorrow because President Trump could grant a pardon,” he said.
Mr Barns said the Australian government must advocate for a complete end to the pursuit of Mr Assange and allow him to return home. without fear of another extradition bid from Australian soil.
Greens Senator WhishWilson said the prosecution was payback for Mr Assange exposing US conduct in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The message is very clear: if you expose our dirty secrets, even if you’re exposes involve corruption in government, criminality, war crimes, gross human rights violations, if you expose our secrets, we will pursue you until you are broken.” sense