WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange ‘will die’ if extradited to US, Australian journalist John Pilger says
- The London-based Australian journalist also said that the role, future of journalism are at stake if Assange loses his extradition fight
- New Australian PM Anthony Albanese, despite being a signatory of the ‘Bring Julian Assange Home’ campaign, is unlikely to ‘deviate from’ the US’ stance
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‘This is a war of propaganda’: John Pilger on Ukraine and Assange | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, already ailing following a decade-long struggle for freedom, faces almost certain death if he is sent to a “penal hell hole” upon extradition to the United States, one of his staunchest supporters has said.
John Pilger, the award-winning Australian filmmaker and journalist who has been a close confidante of Assange since 2010, said defeat for the 51-year-old in his battle in British courts against extradition could have far-reaching consequences for journalism.
Pilger said Assange’s treatment over the years - he has been in London’s high-security Belmarsh prison since 2019 - was “torture”, adding that for the Australian national “anything” would be better than being sent to the US.
Prior to his incarceration, Assange obtained asylum from Ecuador in 2012 and spent seven years in Quito’s embassy in London as part of efforts to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was facing charges of sexual assault. He denies all wrongdoing.
If Julian is extradited to the United States, I think it will effectively end real, independent investigative journalism
Assange’s supporters say the charges are politically motivated and that he would be unable to get a fair trial in the US.