Julian Assange enters final stage of extradition battle

[alp227]

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is to enter the final stage of his legal battle to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning over sex crime allegations.

After failing to persuade a magistrates and the court of appeal that the cross border warrant issued for his arrest was invalid, the Australian's legal team will appeal to the supreme court in London to prevent his deportation.

Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden over claims of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion made by two women he met on a visit to Stockholm in August 2010. He denies the claims.

The supreme court's two-day hearing is unlikely to focus on the detail of the allegations against him, but the legal issue of whether the Swedish prosecutor who issued the European arrest warrant in December 2010 can be considered a valid judicial authority. Assange's legal team, which will include Dinah Rose QC, an expert in civil liberties and European Union law, argues that it isn't.

full: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/feb/01/julian-assange-extradition-battle

[MADem]

1. This is one of those articles that raises more questions after reading it.

In Britain, as in the United States, only judges can normally approve arrest warrants. In Assange's case, the warrant was issued by Sweden's public prosecutor. Assange's lawyers argue that the Swedish system is unfair because it puts the power to issue arrest warrants in the hands of the same people who are prosecuting him.

Seven judges rather than the usual five will hear the case "given the great public importance of the issues raised", the court said. Their decision is not expected for several weeks.

Legal observers have suggested Assange faces an uphill struggle. Karen Todner, an extradition specialist at Kaim Todner Solicitors, said Assange's lawyers were unlikely to overcome the benefit of the doubt usually afforded to other European countries' judicial systems.

British judges "absolutely defer" to their European counterparts' justice systems, she said, adding that she would be "very surprised" if Assange's team won the day.

I think, if the Brits are indeed delivering a defendant into an "unfair system," based on the demands/say-so of a prosecutor who is serving as both cop and judge, they should maybe do a little less deferring and a little more invoking of sovereignty, to protect their interests and ensure their charges are given a fair shake. That Swedish system, given the little we know about it, sounds like it could be easily gamed--all you'd have to do is buy off ONE guy and you're home free.

Assange walked into this mess on his own, though. He should have figured that he'd be targeted, even if he is innocent of the charges, and behaved a bit more circumspectly.

[dogknob]

2. I suppose John Lennon should have behaved a bit more circumspectly too.

Any individual who shakes the status quo with enough force becomes a target. It's in the job description.

[MADem]

3. John Lennon didn't get accused of raping anyone, so I don't understand your dragging him into this.

When you know someone is out to get you, you conduct your personal life a bit more prudently. You don't make yourself an easy target.

See, I'm giving Assange the benefit of the doubt, here--I'm not assuming those rape charges are valid before trial. You do know he's being extradited for sex crimes, don't you? Not shaking "the status quo."

These charges have nothing to do with the Wiki shit--ostensibly. They could very possibly serve as a way to "get" to him for the Wiki shit, but if the guy hadn't placed himself into a situation where he's arguing with prostitutes over services provided, to the point where they are alleging rape, he wouldn't be fighting these particular charges.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-us-embassy-cables-live-updates

He was asked whether he understood that he could consent to be extradited to Sweden, where he faces allegations of rape, molestation and unlawful coercion.

Clearing his throat, Assange said: "I understand that and I do not consent."

Assange denies the allegations, which stem from a visit to Sweden in August. Assange and his lawyers claim the accusations stem from a "dispute over consensual but unprotected sex," and have said the case has taken on political overtones.

[The Doctor.]

4. The point is pretty simple.

Those who stand against the entrenched powers must be wary of all.

That means that accomplished men are fools to trust anyone. Having sex is off the menu if you aren't playing ball, because your partners might just be tools for someone else. You're obviously saying that some men should avoid women. You are wise in your understanding of treachery.

Thank you for sharing that.

[MADem]

5. I'm not saying that he should necessarily avoid women, but he'd be advised to

avoid women he doesn't already have some sort of trusting and long-term relationship with. Contracting with strangers for sex, in his exposed position, is extreme risk-taking bordering on suicidal. He's set himself up in a "He said/she said" situation and I would not be at all surprised if the courts come down in favor of the professional sex workers making the allegations against him, assuming the extradition efforts succeed.

He should also avoid getting into personal commercial enterprises on a one-to-one basis with ANYONE, of any gender or age, and for any purpose, who are unknown to him and could potentially wish him ill. If he's smart, he'll always deal with these people by delegating interactions to subordinates or having witnesses with him at every turn.

That's all I was saying--a simple concept to wrap one's head around, certainly.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. I don't know where you've got 'contracting' and 'professional'

One of the women arranged his trip for Wikileaks to Sweden; the other was also associated with the Swedish Wikileaks group, and they met at a lunch after a seminar.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/17/julian-assange-sweden

[MADem]

8. Oh, dear--this is much worse.

If the account is true, that is.

I stopped following the story in all its sordid details after the initial reports, which were not terribly specific, hit the news.

He'd have been better off if he'd engaged the services of prostitutes.

That woman's account sounds precisely like what he's been charged with. At the least, he's no gentleman.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Well, yes, "if the account is true"

That's always been the point. "sounds precisely like what he's been charged with" - well, (a) he hasn't been charged yet, in the British or US sense - they want him for questioning; (b), 'sounds like'? You're saying the accusation sounds like itself? You're not making any sense.

Yours is the first time I've ever heard anyone call the women 'prostitutes'; I think that just came from your own assumptions, rather than any 'initial report'.

[MADem]

10. Well, shoot me for misunderstanding, then. I admitted I haven't been glued to this story.

Some have accused at least one accuser of being a "honeypot." (NOTE: I do not endorse nor refute this theory)...If that is the case, I don't imagine they hire nuns for that sort of work: http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/39394/julian-assanges-accuser-supposedly-tied-to-the-cia/

Assange himself says he was warned of a "honeytrap" by a journalist friend: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/uk/news/article_1664498.php/I-was-warned-of-honeytrap-says-Julian-Assange-memoir

If we want to get twitchy over terms, let's say "accused of" instead of "charged with," OK? Bottom line? Someone has a problem with the guy, otherwise he wouldn't be fighting extradition so desperately.

From the OP:

Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden over claims of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion made by two women he met on a visit to Stockholm in August 2010. He denies the claims.

"Two women he met" doesn't sound to me like his "best pals." Sounds more like someone who crossed paths with him, for whatever reason.

The guy apparently doesn't know how to talk to women, which isn't helpful to his public persona: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1339287/Gawker-exposes-WikiLeaks-boss-Julian-Assanges-creepy-lovesick-emails-girl-19.html

All sorts of theories flying here, both in this article and the comments: http://www.anorak.co.uk/256861/news/julian-assange-loses-his-cool-to-rape-victim-anna-ardin-wilikleaks-is-scooped.html/

Any further excoriations? All I know is what I read, and this story is all over the place.

I don't claim to "know" a damn thing about this.

[The Doctor.]

11. Yeah, but even then, women are accusing their husbands and 'long term' boyfriends of rape.

My solution?

I'm not laying a hand on a woman unless she agrees to have the whole encounter on video. Hell, maybe I just won't say anything and record it anyway. If she's cool about it, she'll never have anything to worry about. If she decides I'm a jerk for not properly complimenting her attire and resorts to accusations of 'rape', I'll be happy to treat the jury to a show. I'll even bring popcorn.

[MADem]

12. Well, good luck with that. It's not a tactic I'd endorse. nt

[The Doctor.]

15. I'm no fan either, but the risk is just too great.

"Casual, consensual sexual encounter" = "Jail"

That possibility is too real for too many men.

[dogknob]

14. If you do ANYTHING to change the status quo that is effective...

...you are ALWAYS an easy target. That was my point. Assange and Lennon are completely different people. What they have in common is that they spoke up, millions listened, and they were attacked.

[MADem]

16. Lennon was killed by a loony tune who was obsessed with him

and who had religious delusions. That Mark Chapman nut had a problem with his MUSIC.

He wasn't targeted by a government or governments as a consequence of his behavior.

Lennon was an "easy target," too because he eschewed personal protection and was in the habit of walking around NYC rather than using cars/drivers.

[dipsydoodle]

6. Julian Assange extradition appeal at supreme court - live blog

GMT 9.47am: The justices hearing the appeal are: Lord Phillips, Lord Walker, Lady Hale, Lord Brown, Lord Mance, Lord Kerr and Lord Dyson.

Speaking for Julian Assange is Dinah Rose QC, an expert in civil liberties and European Union law.

Speaking for Sweden is Clare Montgomery QC, a specialist in criminal, regulatory and fraud law.

Rose is expected to put her case today for four hours, followed by two and a half hours for Montgomery tomorrow. Rose will then get a one-hour reply.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2012/feb/01/julian-assange-extradition-appeal-at-supreme-court-live-blog

[unionworks]

13. Good Luck, Julian n/t

[Vidar]

17. I wish him well.