Australia’s Albanese says no point in US demanding Julian Assange’s extradition
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was ‘frustrated’ Washington is still seeking the WikiLeaks founder’s extradition despite being aware of what Canberra’s position is
- Albanese also expressed concerns over mental health of the Australian national who faces 175 years in US jail for releasing secret American military records
“I know it’s frustrating, I share the frustration,” Albanese told ABC television from London where Assange is being held pending a US extradition case.
“I can’t do more than make very clear what my position is and the US administration is certainly very aware of what the Australian government’s position is. There is nothing to be served by his ongoing incarceration.”
Assange, an Australian citizen, is battling extradition from Britain to the United States where he is wanted on criminal charges over the release of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables in 2010. Washington says the release of the documents had put lives in danger.
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Assange spent seven years holed up in Ecuador’s embassy in London after being offered refuge but was dragged out by British police in 2019. He has been staying in a prison in London while his extradition case was decided.
Albanese has been advocating for the release of Assange, who faces a sentence of up to 175 years in a maximum-security prison if extradited to the US.
“Enough is enough, this needs to be brought to a conclusion, it needs to be worked through,” said Albanese.
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“The way that diplomacy works … is probably not to forecast the discussions that you will have,” he said.
“I’ll engage diplomatically in order to achieve an outcome.”
Albanese said he did not want to get into an argument about whether Assange’s alleged actions were right or wrong.
Albanese noted a British district court decision, since overturned, that rejected the extradition request on the grounds that Assange was likely to kill himself if held under harsh US prison conditions.
“I am concerned about Mr. Assange’s mental health,” Albanese said.
