UK government dismisses torture claims after 60 doctors warn ailing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces death in prison
- Julian Assange is in Belmarsh Prison on the outskirts of London in advance of an extradition hearing set for February
- Doctors say that Assange suffers from psychological problems including depression as well as dental issues and a serious shoulder ailment
The UK government has pushed back against claims that Julian Assange was “subjected to torture”, after more than 60 doctors signed an open letter expressing “serious concerns” about the physical and mental health of the WikiLeaks founder who is being held at a high-security British prison.
Assange was evicted from the Ecuadorean Embassy in London earlier this year and faces possible extradition to the United States on hacking charges.
The doctors, who hail from the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Sri Lanka and Australia, demanded that Assange be taken to a university teaching hospital for assessment and care and argued that he was not fit to stand trial next year.
They said years of medical assessments and reports on Assange’s health informed their complaint.
“We wish to put on record, as medical doctors, our collective serious concerns and to draw the attention of the public and the world to this grave situation,” the letter states.
“Were such urgent assessment and treatment not to take place, we have real concerns, on the evidence currently available, that Mr Assange could die in prison,” the letter continued.