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Because of #Covid19, reporters and lawyers are dialing into court for a case management hearing in #Assange extradition case at Westminster Mags. Case is due from 10.00 am Court 3. Currently on hold with music playing.
Julian #Assange is expected to appear by live video link. Lawyers are expected discuss whether it is feasible for the extradition case to continue in May with #Coronavirus outbreak making it difficult for witnesses to attend.
Here is a reminder of what has happened so far. Julian #Assange lawyers are arguing that the extradition case is politically motivated. http://bit.ly/2SYjUya ">https://bit.ly/2SYjUya&q...
The US government claims that Wikileaks put live at risk by publishing documents released by Chelsea Manning in an unredacted form. http://bit.ly/32rlICO ">https://bit.ly/32rlICO&q...
We are still waiting for hearing to start at Westminster Mags court. Reporters and lawyers are dialing in remotely to #Assange case management hearing this morning. Currently on hold listening to music.
Back in February, Julian Assange& #39;s legal team argued that #Assange in fact tried to warn the US government when unredacted copies of leaked US military documents leaked onto the web - but got no response. http://bit.ly/2VmTQyb ">https://bit.ly/2VmTQyb&q...
The court heard back in February that the Anglo-US Extradition treaty 2003 does not allow for extraditions for political offences #Assange http://bit.ly/2TkygaT ">https://bit.ly/2TkygaT&q...
Julian #Assange is facing 17 charges under the US Espionage Act and a charge of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion after the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011.
This is the segment in Loira Poitra& #39;s documentary in which Julian #Assange and Sarah Harrison attempt to warn the Whitehouse that unredacted copies of Chelsea Manning document& #39;s had been leaked on the web. @MElmaazi https://twitter.com/MElmaazi/status/1232770981594308609">https://twitter.com/MElmaazi/...
Hearing has started. Sound is a bit muffled on the dial in but hopefully we will be able to hear #Assange
There seem to be technical problems. The sound keeps cutting in and out - mostly out at the moment. #Assange
We are back online
Edward Fitzgerald is arguing that it would be impossible for #Assange to have a fair trial in may under the coronavirus lockdown
Defence applying for postponement until September
Judge has declined to postpone #Assange hearing in May There is a possibility of a third set of hearings in July at Belmarsh.
The hearing has been adjourned for 30 minutes. Will return at 1pm when judge Baraitser will make an order on reporting restrictions. #Assange.
Edward Fitzgerald QC, representing #Assange earlier made an application for a witness to be granted anonymity and requests a reporting restriction
Mark Summer argued that the identity of Assange& #39;s partner should be kept anonymous to protect her privacy
The judge gave #Assange defence team until 4pm Friday to apply for a judicial review otherwise reporting restrictions would be lifted.
Judge Baraitser said there was no evidence that any US agency intended to harm Assanger& #39;s partner
She referred to claims made in court last week that the US wanted to conduct a DNA test on a child& #39;s nappy.
But this evidence had not been tested in court
Edward Fitzgerald QC representing earlier told the court of the difficulties the defence team had communicating with #Assange and taking instructions from him in Belmarsh prison
He is not able to give instructions to us or documents in a timely manner, Fitzgerald said. #Assange
Edward Fitzgerald: It is an exceptional situation we find ourselves in. We cannot do justice to Mr #Assange if the case goes head in May.
Fitzgerald: There are real issues of open justice. It is impossible to see a situation in May where the press and public can be present. There is no power for live streaming
The court has resumed
