Read on Twitter
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
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
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'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
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
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's documentary in which Julian #Assange and Sarah Harrison attempt to warn the Whitehouse that unredacted copies of Chelsea Manning document's had been leaked on the web. @MElmaazi https://twitter.com/MElmaazi/status/1232770981594308609
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'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's partner
She referred to claims made in court last week that the US wanted to conduct a DNA test on a child'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.
#Assange would not be able to participate in proceedings because of the #coronavirus
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
