Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
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Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:58 am
Julian Assange extradition hearing – final day live updates
All parties return to Belmarsh magistrates' court today for the last day in the WikiLeaks founder's extradition hearing
10.55am: Robertson is asking to adjourn the hearing so he can call evidence to show the effect of this is that there is no chance of a fair trial in Sweden. He proposes another day or half-day in March. Clare Montgomery QC, representing the Swedish prosecutor, objects and says that the statement Robertson says villifies Assange does nothing of the sort. She adds that even if you accept what she calls Robertson's "hyperbole" courts often operate "in this kind of atmosphere".
11am: Montgomery is now throwing the Swedish prime minister's comments back at Assange's legal team:
The judge is now running through the arguments.
11.05am: The judge rules out an adjournment, saying the case already contains evidence on whether Assange can get a fair trial in Sweden and, also, that there is a need for finality.
11.20am: Robertson is now into his closing argument, which he says will last an hour. He begins by questioning Swedish prosecutor Marianne Ny's statement, which he says can't be "smuggled in" as definitive. He says she should be cross-examined as a witness.
Esther Addley adds the following:
Robertson continues saying he accepts the European arrest warrant should make extradition easier but that it "should always be with careful attention to the human rights of person sought."
He adds that "you can't say" that the European court of human rights would safeguard Assange's rights in Sweden because they have backlog of three to five years.
11.35am: Robertson's closing argument has moved onto if Ny has the authority to issue an European arrest warrant (he says not) and what he calls the "vexed question" of whether it is valid for prosecution or questioning. He says one of the defence witnesses, retired Swedish prosecutor Sven-Erik Alhem, said there was a specific Swedish word for prosecution that has not been used.
11.45am: More from Robertson (GR) on the validity of the European arrest warrant in this case:
He says Ny has herself said the warrant is for questioning and possible prosecution.
12.10pm: Robertson moves through the following points in his closing argument: that Assange did not leave Sweden for Germany to avoid arrest; the Swedish prosecutor not taking up offers of interviews via Skype; "double criminality" (whether the allegations are offences in both Swedish and English law and therefore extraditable); and issues of consent.
On the allegation that Assange used his bodyweight to hold one of the women down, we have the following from Robertson (GR):
He says that there's no allegation that it was without consent.
Robertson then says that if Assange is extradited he will be held in prison for months as Sweden has no bail and will then be tried in secret, contrary to the principles of open justice. The hearing then breaks for five minutes.
12.20pm: Clare Montgomery QC, representing the Swedish prosecutor, begins her closing argument. She says the retired Swedish prosecutor the defence called as a witness conceded that Ny issuing a European arrest warrant for Assange was proper and lawful if her version of events was true and refers to Robertson's questioning of her issuing authority as "mischevious".
12.25pm: Montgomery says it is "quite clear" that the purpose of the European arrest warrant is for prosecution.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2011/feb/11/julian-assange-extradition-hearing-live
Janeys' Little Sock News Updates
Update: Canberra, Feb 11 : Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's mother has reportedly written a letter to Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd demanding the government to take necessary steps to stop her son from being extradited to Sweden or prosecuted in the US.
UPDATE - Assanges' defence lawyer says that the warrant was only issued 'for questions', so cannot be used to extradite
UPDATE - 11:58: The Prosecutor is now speaking and says the warrant is 'questioning and prosecution'. Denies it is not linked to prosecution.
UPDATE - 12:05: The Defence lawyer says Assange was not violent, just adopting the missionary position.
On a lighter note if you think about it much of the rape case is based on the fact that Assange's condom leaked. So he has gone from wikileaks, to willyleaks!
UPDATE: 12:32: The judge may not make decision today. If he does make a decision against Assange, his team will take it to the High Court of Appeals.
UPDATE - 12:50: the Prosecutor states that the charges are clear
All parties return to Belmarsh magistrates' court today for the last day in the WikiLeaks founder's extradition hearing
10.55am: Robertson is asking to adjourn the hearing so he can call evidence to show the effect of this is that there is no chance of a fair trial in Sweden. He proposes another day or half-day in March. Clare Montgomery QC, representing the Swedish prosecutor, objects and says that the statement Robertson says villifies Assange does nothing of the sort. She adds that even if you accept what she calls Robertson's "hyperbole" courts often operate "in this kind of atmosphere".
11am: Montgomery is now throwing the Swedish prime minister's comments back at Assange's legal team:
The judge is now running through the arguments.
11.05am: The judge rules out an adjournment, saying the case already contains evidence on whether Assange can get a fair trial in Sweden and, also, that there is a need for finality.
11.20am: Robertson is now into his closing argument, which he says will last an hour. He begins by questioning Swedish prosecutor Marianne Ny's statement, which he says can't be "smuggled in" as definitive. He says she should be cross-examined as a witness.
Esther Addley adds the following:
Robertson continues saying he accepts the European arrest warrant should make extradition easier but that it "should always be with careful attention to the human rights of person sought."
He adds that "you can't say" that the European court of human rights would safeguard Assange's rights in Sweden because they have backlog of three to five years.
11.35am: Robertson's closing argument has moved onto if Ny has the authority to issue an European arrest warrant (he says not) and what he calls the "vexed question" of whether it is valid for prosecution or questioning. He says one of the defence witnesses, retired Swedish prosecutor Sven-Erik Alhem, said there was a specific Swedish word for prosecution that has not been used.
11.45am: More from Robertson (GR) on the validity of the European arrest warrant in this case:
He says Ny has herself said the warrant is for questioning and possible prosecution.
12.10pm: Robertson moves through the following points in his closing argument: that Assange did not leave Sweden for Germany to avoid arrest; the Swedish prosecutor not taking up offers of interviews via Skype; "double criminality" (whether the allegations are offences in both Swedish and English law and therefore extraditable); and issues of consent.
On the allegation that Assange used his bodyweight to hold one of the women down, we have the following from Robertson (GR):
He says that there's no allegation that it was without consent.
Robertson then says that if Assange is extradited he will be held in prison for months as Sweden has no bail and will then be tried in secret, contrary to the principles of open justice. The hearing then breaks for five minutes.
12.20pm: Clare Montgomery QC, representing the Swedish prosecutor, begins her closing argument. She says the retired Swedish prosecutor the defence called as a witness conceded that Ny issuing a European arrest warrant for Assange was proper and lawful if her version of events was true and refers to Robertson's questioning of her issuing authority as "mischevious".
12.25pm: Montgomery says it is "quite clear" that the purpose of the European arrest warrant is for prosecution.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2011/feb/11/julian-assange-extradition-hearing-live
Janeys' Little Sock News Updates
Update: Canberra, Feb 11 : Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's mother has reportedly written a letter to Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd demanding the government to take necessary steps to stop her son from being extradited to Sweden or prosecuted in the US.
UPDATE - Assanges' defence lawyer says that the warrant was only issued 'for questions', so cannot be used to extradite
UPDATE - 11:58: The Prosecutor is now speaking and says the warrant is 'questioning and prosecution'. Denies it is not linked to prosecution.
UPDATE - 12:05: The Defence lawyer says Assange was not violent, just adopting the missionary position.
On a lighter note if you think about it much of the rape case is based on the fact that Assange's condom leaked. So he has gone from wikileaks, to willyleaks!
UPDATE: 12:32: The judge may not make decision today. If he does make a decision against Assange, his team will take it to the High Court of Appeals.
UPDATE - 12:50: the Prosecutor states that the charges are clear
Last edited by Strawberry on Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:51 am; edited 14 times in total
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Luna Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:27 am
Here's the link to the first 2 days of the trial as I posted on the Breaking News section
https://littlesocknews.forumotion.com/t59-julian-assange
https://littlesocknews.forumotion.com/t59-julian-assange
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:11 am
Hey Luna thanks for that. 
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Luna Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:17 am
No worries.... just thought people might want the background of the first 2 days.
Just added this comment on the old thread:-
In a reference to Julian holding down one of the women with his body weight, Julian's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson said
'It is quite clear that [miss a's account] described what is usually termed the missionary position'
Just added this comment on the old thread:-
In a reference to Julian holding down one of the women with his body weight, Julian's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson said
'It is quite clear that [miss a's account] described what is usually termed the missionary position'
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Janey Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:46 am
this is brilliant coverage Straws!
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Lime Flavoured Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:48 am
I personally don't think he will be extradited, at least not anytime soon. This might end up being analogous to the Gary McKinnon case.
Last edited by Lime Flavoured on Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:48 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : spelt McKinnon wrong, which is worrying, since I have to write an essay about that case for uni lol)
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:54 am
12.40pm: Montgomery is giving the court detailed legal arguments on what she says is the validity of the European arrest warrant in this case.
12.45pm: "If Sweden says it's rape, it's rape," is how Montgomery addresses the the "double criminality" issue raised by Robertson at 12.10pm.
12.45pm: "If Sweden says it's rape, it's rape," is how Montgomery addresses the the "double criminality" issue raised by Robertson at 12.10pm.
Last edited by Strawberry on Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:57 am; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:56 am
Lime Flavoured wrote:I personally don't think he will be extradited, at least not anytime soon. This might end up being analogous to the Gary McKinnon case.
who is Gary McKinnon Lime?
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:58 am
Janey wrote:this is brilliant coverage Straws!
Awww thankyou JediJaney
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:00 am
12.55pm: As Montgomery wraps up her argument, she moves onto consent. She says if a woman says she only wishes to have sex with a condom the other person will know she doesn't consent to unprotected sex, that there is a presumption a sleeping woman cannot consent and that one of the complainant's accounts 'in popular language does mean violence'.
Esther Addley tweets the following from court (CM is Montgomery, JA is Assange):
Montgomery moves on to says that it is not reasonable to expect the prosecutor to interview Assange via Skype since he needs to be in Sweden if he is to be compelled to give DNA.
Esther Addley tweets the following from court (CM is Montgomery, JA is Assange):
Montgomery moves on to says that it is not reasonable to expect the prosecutor to interview Assange via Skype since he needs to be in Sweden if he is to be compelled to give DNA.
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:04 am
Janeys' Little Sock News:
Any criticism by the Swedish PM is prejudicial to Assange getting a fair hearing
Any criticism by the Swedish PM is prejudicial to Assange getting a fair hearing
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:10 am
On the final day of the extradition hearing on today, the judge said he was minded to take two weeks to decide on the possible removal to Sweden.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12427839
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12427839
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:18 am
1pm: Montgomery closed with a rejection of key defence arguments. She says it is "a parody" to claim Swedish rape trials are held in secret since while evidence is heard in private, arguments, debate and the ruling are all public and has this to offer on claims Assange could end up in Guantanamo (Alhem is the retired Swedish prosecutor called as a defence witness).
Montgomery also tells the court it is for a Swedish court to hear evidence of rape, that today is an extradition hearing.
Montgomery also tells the court it is for a Swedish court to hear evidence of rape, that today is an extradition hearing.
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:32 am
1.15pm: Robertson (GR) responds to Montgomery's "If Sweden says it's rape, it's rape" line:
He also delves into what calls the "complex human interactions" in sexual relationships and offers the following: "Sexual enounters have their ebbs and flows. What may be unwanted one minute can with further empathy become desired."
1.20pm: Roberston has now finished and the hearing concluded. A ruling is scheduled for 24 February.
1.22pm: Assange is to remain on bail. His reporting time has however been moved from 2-5pm daily to the mornings so he is able to attend meetings.
He also delves into what calls the "complex human interactions" in sexual relationships and offers the following: "Sexual enounters have their ebbs and flows. What may be unwanted one minute can with further empathy become desired."
1.20pm: Roberston has now finished and the hearing concluded. A ruling is scheduled for 24 February.
1.22pm: Assange is to remain on bail. His reporting time has however been moved from 2-5pm daily to the mornings so he is able to attend meetings.
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A Summary of Todays' Events
by Strawberry Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:38 am
1.30pm:
A summary of today's events:
• The call from Assange's QC, Geoffrey Roberton, for an adjournment to call evidence on the effect comments from the Swedish prime minister would have on Assange's chance of a fair trial in the country was rejected.
• His closing argument dealt with the lack of an active prosecution in Sweden, the authority of the Swedish prosecutor to issue a European arrest warrant and the lack of "double criminality" – that the allegations made against Assange are offences under both Swedish and English law.
• The QC for the Swedish prosecutor, Clare Montgomery, said the Swedish prosecutor had the authority to issue a European arrest warrant, that she intended to prosecute Assange and, of the "double criminality" issue, said: "If Sweden says it's rape, it's rape."
• Issue of consent were raised by both sides. Robertson, for Assange, said there was no allegation that the acts took place without consent. Montgomery, for the Swedish prosecutor, said consent cannot be presumed when a woman is sleeping and one of the complainant's accounts alleges violence.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2011/feb/11/julian-assange-extradition-hearing-live#block-20
A summary of today's events:
• The call from Assange's QC, Geoffrey Roberton, for an adjournment to call evidence on the effect comments from the Swedish prime minister would have on Assange's chance of a fair trial in the country was rejected.
• His closing argument dealt with the lack of an active prosecution in Sweden, the authority of the Swedish prosecutor to issue a European arrest warrant and the lack of "double criminality" – that the allegations made against Assange are offences under both Swedish and English law.
• The QC for the Swedish prosecutor, Clare Montgomery, said the Swedish prosecutor had the authority to issue a European arrest warrant, that she intended to prosecute Assange and, of the "double criminality" issue, said: "If Sweden says it's rape, it's rape."
• Issue of consent were raised by both sides. Robertson, for Assange, said there was no allegation that the acts took place without consent. Montgomery, for the Swedish prosecutor, said consent cannot be presumed when a woman is sleeping and one of the complainant's accounts alleges violence.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2011/feb/11/julian-assange-extradition-hearing-live#block-20
Last edited by Strawberry on Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:42 am; edited 2 times in total
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Luna Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:40 am
Now we have to wait until 24th February for the ruling!
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Luna Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:40 am
Looks like you were following the Guardian updates too Strawberry
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Lime Flavoured Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:36 am
Strawberry wrote:Lime Flavoured wrote:I personally don't think he will be extradited, at least not anytime soon. This might end up being analogous to the Gary McKinnon case.
who is Gary McKinnon Lime?
The British guy who the US want extradited for hacking into some NASA servers.
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Re: Julian Assange extradition hearing – FINAL DAY (updates)
by Strawberry Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:50 am
Lime Flavoured wrote:Strawberry wrote:Lime Flavoured wrote:I personally don't think he will be extradited, at least not anytime soon. This might end up being analogous to the Gary McKinnon case.
who is Gary McKinnon Lime?
The British guy who the US want extradited for hacking into some NASA servers.
ahhh I know. thanks Lime
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