Mark Stephens, who is Julian Assange’s lawyer, appeared today in an interview with David Frost to lambaste the Swedish government for its warrant against his client, noting that the Swedish government still won’t produce evidence against Assange or even clarify exactly what he is being charged with.
Stephens also said the Swedish government is using its extradition attempt as a way of keeping Assange held and that they have said they are willing to turn over Assange to the United States, where he also hasn’t been charged with anything but where top officials have called him a “terrorist” and called for his execution.
The US is hoping “they can get their mitts on him,” insisted Stephens, adding that Assange wasn’t particularly keen to be sent to the US over concerns he might be killed.
Stephens reiterated that Assange is willing to meet with Swedish prosecutors in London to answer the questions for which his warrant was nominally released, and the objection to his extradition seems to be centered primarily around the concern of being disappeared into a legal black hole in the US.
The Swedish case against Assange is based around consensual sexual relationships with two women, and the prosecutor in the initial city in which it occurred insisted there was no case. It was at this point the case was brought to a second Swedish city, where a second investigation sparked the “questioning” warrant.
Evidence? We (Swedumb), we don't needs no stinkin' evidence…
How convenient that an evil Muslim blew himself up in Stockholm just as the US wanted to send a message to Sweden about how much they need us.
But it was an EPIC FAIL so it doesn't count.
The Americans demand Assange. It's time the rest of the world did a 'Chavez' and told the U.S. to stick their 'Empire' up where the sun don't shine!
Why are we allowing this group of thuggish cowboys (that make up 6% of the world's population) to ride roughshod over all the nations of the world. Why aren't our Governments condemning American imperialism, American killing, American hypocrisy, American greed?
America truly is a pathetic nation. It is filled with love of violence and war and killing and has no conscience. None. It tortures, puts people in cages, spies on its own citizens.
A world run by America would be just like it was in the book, 1984.
Let's stand up to America and its evil empire.
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"The Americans demand Assange. It's time the rest of the world did a 'Chavez' and told the U.S. to stick their 'Empire' up where the sun don't shine!
Why are we allowing this group of thuggish cowboys (that make up 6% of the world's population) to ride roughshod over all the nations of the world. Why aren't our Governments condemning American imperialism, American killing, American hypocrisy, American greed? "
I always wonder this myself. Why do the governments of Britain, Australia, Italy, Germany, everywhere allow themselves to be treated like colonies of the US govt.? Is it fear of the Russians, like a cold war mentality hold over? Fear of the Chinese? One thing I hope comes of this wikileaks story is that other nations will wake up to the danger of allowing the US to be a de facto world government.
Indeed it makes me want to cry living in the U.S. that legal black hole, and fears of extra judicial murder are very real things to be concerned about. Sadly the U.S. has become the new Soviet Union.
A charge of Espionage allows the death penalty. No extrajudicial anything is necessary. And I could see even the incompetent poltroons in this administration asking a jury to do just that. And given that Assange is an Australian, and has openly declared his intent to bring down the US Empire, I could see an Alexandria Federal jury imposing the death penalty. (BTW – I live in Alexandria VA)
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He won't be killed, but the US will likely get their mitts on him at some point. Good chance he won't ever get to Sweden as the Swededs will likely be willing through some legal measure to allow the US the first legal crack at him and then the Sweded case will simply fade away in time.
In the US his legal status will be determined by his legal standing, if under the 1917 Espionage act he might be held without trial for a long time, or perhaps classified as an enemy supporter or even combatant he could face a military tribunal but don't assume that he will face a civilan jury just yet. GITMO still has plenty of cells for lease.
Where there is no habeas corpus, you can expect the FedGov to hold you until they can drum up something to put you on trial for. Britain, BTW, scuttled habeas corpus under Tony Blair, along with many other legal freedoms derived from Magna Carta.
Swim lessons in Guantanamo usually produce the desired results.
The only way I can see that the USG can legally get JA is if they torture Manning into saying Assange directed him in getting the files, then they have a possible conspiracy charge.
Stephens also said the Swedish government is using its extradition attempt as a way of keeping Assange held and that they have said they are willing to turn over Assange to the United States…
Duh! Even my dog Fido knows that.
…the prosecutor in the initial city in which it occurred insisted there was no case. It was at this point the case was brought to a second Swedish city, where a second investigation sparked the “questioning” warrant.
And if that doesn't work, they will produce a third one and a fourth one and fifth one and they'll keep on trying till someone sticks.
Sweden used to mind its own business, now the people they have quietly bothered have focused on the country of ABBA. cannot hide from karma.
Yes… There was a period…?? in the 70s?? when they tried to appear neutral…….. but they had jet fighters to sell……..and they did not sell those planes in a very neutral way…as I remember it…..
1- Although this is not in direct connecting with above article yet is more about the resent suicide bomber in Stockholm which connects the two .There is something wrong with all this suicide bomber and what is happening at the moment.., so for: 1- why would this man blow himself up in Stockholm.. And not in London.., although Swedish citizen but according to info was living in England for last 10 years..?
2- why would he take a side street as his target where the main street (Drotninggatan) is full of people at the time and not below himself there.., further down the Drottninggatan (about 300 meter) is a square named Sergelstorg., where the cultural center is located.., this place is full of people all the time, why not there …,?
3- why would he chose the time when Assange accusers are to be proved to have a “agendas” according to his attorney and perhaps a fake accusation after all…?
4-Sweden has been given refuge to Muslims.., so to Assyrians and Syrians and all other Christians and Muslims from all over the world.., the Saudis are the financiers of almost all the Mosques’ that are built in Sweden.., what is there for the present Swedish government and what would they do to existing Laws regarding freedom of speech and immigration.., what would they do to thousands of refugees whom are living in middle of nowhere.., kind of concentration camps scatter all over Sweden.., after this..?
5- Sweden has a military force in Afghanistan.., could this be related to their being there in Afghanistan…., yet more EU countries have some kind of military presence in Afghanistan.., is terrorism attack against innocent people in Europe is what is next and for EU to handle..?
We in the US haven't really enjoyed the spectacle of honest-to-goodness show trials; I imagine the television networks are already making backroom deals on who gets to put cameras in the courtroom for the best shots. I also imagine the government lawyers are watching every film they can get their hands on from the Stalin-era show trials of the Soviet Union so they'll get it right. Oh, and make sure there are plenty of military personnel in the courtroom- preferably visibly disfigured and/or disabled- in the main camera field of view; we wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to give the impression that JA is personally responsible for all of that, right? I'm practically salivating in anticipation of the high drama that will unfold when the government rolls out its case and presents its stellar line-up of witnesses- I'm positive their performances will be worthy of Academy Awards. The one teeny-tiny possibility of disappointment might come is if a 'not guilty' verdict is produced… HAHAHAHAHAHAA yeah right, like that conclusion is EVER going to be in doubt. It's going to be a show trial folks- who cares if it's legal or not, we just want some good old-fashioned witch-hunting entertainment !!
It's not really funny though. 🙁
The verdict does not matter since the outcome will be the same regardless. If he is Guilty, he is executed for Espionage – preferably by public hanging. If he is Not Guilty, then he is allowed to leave the US in an orchestrated fashion. But since he has declared his purpose is to bring down the US Empire, he is a legitimate military target. The military drones/robots track him as he leaves, and as soon as he sets foot on foreign soil, the drones take their shot(s).
The only way Assange can be safe is if he is found Not Guilty and is somehow allowed to stay in the US (not in Gitmo), since the US Gov't can't legally assasinate him on US soil. This outcome is extremely unlikely.
Since Assange is not an American – is it possible to extrapolate the argument thus: – each intelligence specialist, in every intelligence agency collecting information on Uncle Sam, in every country of the world, could be prosecuted by Uncle Sam under the Espionage Act?
Example, if Assange is prosecuteable, has Uncle Sam demanded the extradition of the ex-Soviet agents who received stolen information from the Walker spy ring?
Or is the standard public knowledge? Is that the issue? The public must never be aroused to take interest in what is being done in their name?
Of course foreign spies can be prosecuted in the US (and likewise US spies can be prosecuted in foreign lands). That is why such persons (if their true identities are known) usually do not travel to the US without Diplomatic Immunity, and vise versa. This is one reason diplomatic immunity exists in the first place.
But foreign spies have a place of sanctuary – their home country. Mr. Assange is truly stateless since his country of citizenship (Australia) can prosecute him for Treason. Australia is a US partner in the war, after all.
Last months the Swedish and the Norwegians authority by a reporter were told that US embassy is spying on citizens of both countries.., and is happening as the report was circulating the media.., some photos of a building and apartments were published indicating where and how the espionage is taking place.., Swedish government were denying that they knew anything about it and to certain point the Norwegian government was acting that they are in shook. Later the US embassy announced that yes the matter is true but with full cooperation of the local police and other secret service and authorities knew that such operation is taking place.., all the information thereafter has given to local authority.., although the matter is against the laws of both countries and some people were questioning the facts that laws by US personnel’s has been broken yet the Swedish government and the local police (Not the Swedish CIA SÄPÅ) have denied that they ever cooperated with US personal spying on Swedish citizens and the story died after a brief information by the government..,
2- interesting part is that within last few weeks lots of thing has happened and Swedes are on the world news but this time is not about ABBA nor their Tennis player but rather Julian Assange and his Social Democrats sex – rape accusers and now this suicide bomber.., what a coincident…,? For information see aftonbladet.se or any other Swedish news paper and look for the English version of it.