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| Britain |
| Assange fears US charges |
| 2010-12-18 |
| [Dawn] Julian Assange said Friday it was "increasingly likely" the US would try to extradite him on charges related to WikiLeaks, as he spent his first day on bail on an English country estate. The 39-year-old founder of the whistle-blowing website is fighting extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over allegations that he sexually assaulted two women, which he denies. But speaking outside Ellingham Hall, a friend's mansion in eastern England, where he must live while on bail, Assange said he was more concerned about potential moves from US authorities. "The big risk, the risk we have always been concerned about, is onwards extradition to the United States. And that seems to be increasingly serious and increasingly likely," the Australian told news hounds. Assange said his lawyers believed a secret US grand jury investigation had been started into his role in WikiLeaks' release of thousands of leaked US diplomatic cables -- a probe he condemned as "illegal". Looking relaxed and wearing a green puffa jacket in the snowy conditions, he said the mansion was a "big improvement" on the London jail where he was held in solitary confinement for nine days before his release on bail Thursday. Media reports suggest that US prosecutors are trying to build a case against Assange on the grounds that he encouraged a US soldier, Bradley Manning, to steal US cables from a government computer and pass them to WikiLeaks. Assange said: "I would say that there is a very aggressive investigation, that a lot of face has been lost by some people, and some people have careers to make by pursuing famous cases." He said WikiLeaks had pledged 50,000 dollars (38,000 euros) towards Manning's legal fund. But he told ABC television in the US that: "I had never heard of the name Bradley Manning before it was published in the press. "WikiLeaks technology (was) designed from the very beginning to make sure that we never know the identities or names of people submitting us material." Later, in interviews with British media, Assange said Manning "is the only one of our military sources who has been accused and that means that he is in a difficult position." Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... in Washington a report by congressional researchers said the Espionage Act and other US laws could be used to prosecute Assange, but there is no known precedent for prosecuting publishers in such a case. "Leaks of classified information to the press have only rarely been punished as crimes, and we are aware of no case in which a publisher of information obtained through unauthorized disclosure by a government employee has been prosecuted for publishing it," the report said. On the Swedish case against him, the former computer hacker claimed it was part of a "smear campaign" linked to WikiLeaks, saying prosecutors had yet to provide "a single piece of evidence" to back up its allegations. Swedish prosecutors deny their case is related to WikiLeaks. Assange's release was the result of a nine-day legal battle following his arrest in London on a Swedish warrant on December 7. Although a judge in a lower court granted him bail Tuesday, prosecuting lawyers appealed. It was only after the appeal was rejected in the High Court Thursday that Assange could be freed on bail. Judge Duncan Ouseley rejected the argument that Assange was likely to flee the country, but his supporters had to come up with a 240,000-pound (283,000-euro, 374,000-dollar) surety. Assange has also been electronically tagged, is subject to a curfew and must report daily to a cop shoppe near the mansion in picturesque Suffolk. He was driven out of the mansion to report to police Friday. The mansion is owned by Vaughan Smith, a former army officer and journalist who founded the Frontline Club in London which acts as WikiLeaks' British base. He has described Assange as "courageous". Assange has vowed the allegations against him will not stop WikiLeaks from releasing further documents. "People like to present Wikileaks as just me and my backpack -- it is not true. We're a large organisation," he told news hounds Friday. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #14 "PURE STUPIDITY" No need to explain yourself to us, P4K - we already know. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2010-12-18 19:13 |
| #13 Why do I think that Wikileaks might have a ton of embarrassing cables concerning Britain and that is why Britain let him out on bond? But no - that's ludicrous. Britain would never give in to extortion and compromise it's principles just to avoid embarrassment - for money and power definitely (Lockerby affair), but embarrassment? Ha ha ha - No, Never!! |
| Posted by: Goober Goobelopolous 2010-12-18 17:29 |
| #12 a probe he condemned as "illegal". He should know about illegal probes, shouldn't he? |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2010-12-18 17:29 |
| #11 Manning and Assange should try to get in touch with Sandy He got away with a slap on the wrist after all. Why Berger did what he did, whether he collaborated with any third party, the consequences of his deeds, all of this is still a mystery. Given that Berger acted in his capacity as a former National Security Advisor, and Manning leaked the contents of a database open to a PFC Berger's misdeeds might have had more serious consequences than Manning's. |
| Posted by: Omaing White7048 2010-12-18 15:34 |
| #10 :-) Considering the source - thanks for the compliment |
| Posted by: Frank G 2010-12-18 15:21 |
| #9 #1 he could avoid Holder's DOJ charges if he just joined the New Black Panther Party PURE STUPIDITY |
| Posted by: Play4Keeps 2010-12-18 14:11 |
| #8 CyberSarge, which one? Or issat an abrogation? |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2010-12-18 13:39 |
| #7 We should not be focusing on Assange. He is a media whore and the more you feed him the more he will grow. DO NOT give Pvt Manning a deal. March his ass to the gallows and the sooner the better. We have to stop the NEXT leak not focus on the one already out. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2010-12-18 13:05 |
| #6 We should be focusing on Assange. He is a media whore and the more you feed him the more he will grow. DO NOT give Pvt Manning a deal. March his ass to the gallows and the sooner the better. We have to stop the NEXT leak not focus on the one already out. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2010-12-18 13:05 |
| #5 Juley, you ever been in a ... Turkish prison? |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2010-12-18 12:08 |
| #4 We would have to get our hands on Assange, which I rather doubt will happen (unless the CIA has gotten a LOT better these last few months). The Brits will hand him over to the Swedes and the Swedes will hand him to no one. And I rather like the following idea: we look Mr. Manning in the eye and say, "Son, we're not making a deal with you. We don't care what else you did, what other documents you stole, and who you passed them to. The damage is done. We have enough on you to have you convicted and executed for treason, and that's just what we're going to do. Have a nice day." I get a little tired of cops, prosecutors and judges making deals with scum. I know, I know, sometimes it's necessary, but there are times we should just say, in essence, you did the crime, now you do the time. In Manning's case it should lead straight to a pine box. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2010-12-18 10:38 |
| #3 Before we charge Asshat our 'leaders' are going to want to be sure he doesn't have (or won't get) any dirt on them. And I don't think many of them WILL be sure. Could make entertaining theatre - bring it on. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2010-12-18 08:52 |
| #2 Mr. Assange should fear US charges. DOJ lawyers are trying to get Private Manning to roll over on Assange for conspiracy charges, the easiest charges to prove and the hardest to defend against. Should Manning go along not only will Assange goes down, so does his whole crew. Then the flood gates could potentially open for even more to be charged. |
| Posted by: badanov 2010-12-18 01:12 |
| #1 he could avoid Holder's DOJ charges if he just joined the New Black Panther Party |
| Posted by: Frank G 2010-12-18 00:36 |