04:47UK: Prosecution 'making every effort' to delay hearing - Assange's father as US submits new claims
Father of Julian Assange, John Shipton, said he believed that the prosecution in the Assange trial is 'making every effort' to delay the hearing in his son's case till after September 7, and until after the US presidential election. Shipton made his statement after leaving the Westminster Magistrates' Court at the end of a hearing session on Friday. He was referencing new US extradition claims made against Assange as part of a superseding indictment.
Dozens of Julian Assange supporters were seen gathered outside the court, chanting slogans and holding up banners demanding 'justice' for Assange, with messages such as 'Free Julian Assange' and 'Jail the war criminals. Free Julian Assange.'
"Prosecution is making every effort to ensure that the hearing on the 7th of September doesn’t go ahead. And the hearing is delayed until after the American election," alleged Shipton. He said he believed the aim of the alleged delay-tactic is "to put energy and effort and time into the further persecution of Julian" once a 'new' US administration is in office.
Assange's father said he hoped that the court will rule that "this is another abuse of practise" and for the main hearing "to go ahead on the 7th of September."
Former Ecuadorian Consul, Fidel Narvaez, said he regarded the US extradition request as a "huge danger for any journalist in the world," and explained that "we need to oppose to that," because publishing "is not a crime."
What is at stake, according to Narvaez, is "respect of human rights", "freedom of expression" and "sovereignty." He said he hoped the British judicial system would be "independent enough" and "strong enough" to "make justice" and "oppose the extradition of Julian Assange."
The US government made a new extradition request to have Assange sent from the UK based on charges in a new superseding indictment, which may delay Assange's September 7 hearing, depending on the response taken by the defence. Assange is expected to learn at the September hearing whether he is to be extradited to the United States.
04:47Father of Julian Assange, John Shipton, said he believed that the prosecution in the Assange trial is 'making every effort' to delay the hearing in his son's case till after September 7, and until after the US presidential election. Shipton made his statement after leaving the Westminster Magistrates' Court at the end of a hearing session on Friday. He was referencing new US extradition claims made against Assange as part of a superseding indictment.
Dozens of Julian Assange supporters were seen gathered outside the court, chanting slogans and holding up banners demanding 'justice' for Assange, with messages such as 'Free Julian Assange' and 'Jail the war criminals. Free Julian Assange.'
"Prosecution is making every effort to ensure that the hearing on the 7th of September doesn’t go ahead. And the hearing is delayed until after the American election," alleged Shipton. He said he believed the aim of the alleged delay-tactic is "to put energy and effort and time into the further persecution of Julian" once a 'new' US administration is in office.
Assange's father said he hoped that the court will rule that "this is another abuse of practise" and for the main hearing "to go ahead on the 7th of September."
Former Ecuadorian Consul, Fidel Narvaez, said he regarded the US extradition request as a "huge danger for any journalist in the world," and explained that "we need to oppose to that," because publishing "is not a crime."
What is at stake, according to Narvaez, is "respect of human rights", "freedom of expression" and "sovereignty." He said he hoped the British judicial system would be "independent enough" and "strong enough" to "make justice" and "oppose the extradition of Julian Assange."
The US government made a new extradition request to have Assange sent from the UK based on charges in a new superseding indictment, which may delay Assange's September 7 hearing, depending on the response taken by the defence. Assange is expected to learn at the September hearing whether he is to be extradited to the United States.