02:39UK: Wikileaks Editor-in-chief warns of 'serious precedent' if Assange is extradited
Wikileaks Editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson warned that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's possible extradition to the United States to stand trial would create an “extremely serious precedent” for journalists, while speaking to the press in London on Wednesday.
"Who is going to stop other governments from demanding extradition from other countries? Will they hand over a British journalist to the United States to face trial there for his work on this basis? People should consider that and especially journalists, how serious implications this could have on the profession," he said.
Hrafnsson's remarks came after announcing the unveiling of an "extensive spying operation" on the Wikileaks founder inside the Ecuadorian embassy, where he sought political refuge since 2012.
Hrafnsson stressed that the spying operation, which he claimed included recording medical checks and meetings with his lawyers, were part of an attempt to push him to leave the embassy.
Assange first moved into the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012, in order to avoid extradition to Sweden on sexual assault allegations. While that investigation was dropped by the judiciary, Assange still faces charges in the UK for violating bail conditions while fleeing, as well as the possibility of extradition to the United States for publishing sensitive government information on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
02:39Wikileaks Editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson warned that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's possible extradition to the United States to stand trial would create an “extremely serious precedent” for journalists, while speaking to the press in London on Wednesday.
"Who is going to stop other governments from demanding extradition from other countries? Will they hand over a British journalist to the United States to face trial there for his work on this basis? People should consider that and especially journalists, how serious implications this could have on the profession," he said.
Hrafnsson's remarks came after announcing the unveiling of an "extensive spying operation" on the Wikileaks founder inside the Ecuadorian embassy, where he sought political refuge since 2012.
Hrafnsson stressed that the spying operation, which he claimed included recording medical checks and meetings with his lawyers, were part of an attempt to push him to leave the embassy.
Assange first moved into the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012, in order to avoid extradition to Sweden on sexual assault allegations. While that investigation was dropped by the judiciary, Assange still faces charges in the UK for violating bail conditions while fleeing, as well as the possibility of extradition to the United States for publishing sensitive government information on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.