UK judge sentences WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to 50 weeks in prison for skipping bail seven years ago
- Judge points out that the 47-year-old’s stay in the Ecuadorean embassy had cost British taxpayers US$21 million
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in jail by a London court on Wednesday for skipping bail to enter the Ecuadorean embassy where he was holed up for almost seven years until police dragged him out last month.
Judge Deborah Taylor read out the sentence as Assange, in a black jacket and grey sweatshirt, looked on. Taylor said Assange had exploited his privileged position to flout the law and express his disdain for British justice.
He was convicted last month of skipping bail in June 2012 after an extradition order to Sweden over an allegation of rape. The maximum sentence was a year in jail.
“You remained there for nearly seven years, exploiting your privileged position to flout the law and advertise internationally your disdain for the law of this country,” Judge Taylor said at Southwark Crown Court.
She said that it had cost taxpayers £16 million (US$21 million) to ensure that Assange was arrested when he left the embassy.