Supporters of Julian Assange prepare for extradition trial

John Shipton, Julian Assange's father, during a press conference in Paris, February 20, 2020. FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP

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Three days before his extradition trial to the United States, the supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange are preparing his defense as best he can.

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Baltasar Garzon, one of Julian Assange's lawyers, sees it as a lawsuit to silence those who disturb power. Three days before the opening of the extradition trial of the founder of WikiLeaks, he ensures that the defense is ready. " I have confidence. Because I believe that this whole case is based on completely unfounded accusations which target Julian Assange. This trial does not stand up. From the start, we denounce political persecution. We consider that Julian Assange did not commit an offense. "

Julian Assange is at the origin of the publication of thousands of classified documents on the intervention of the American army in Iraq and Afghanistan. A refugee at the Embassy of Ecuador in London in 2012, he remained there until April 11, the date of his arrest. The images had gone around the world.

Also read: WikiLeaks: Julian Assange arrested at the Embassy of Ecuador in London

If extradited to the United States, the founder of WikiLeaks faces 175 years in prison. His lawyers accuse Washington of doing everything to put pressure on the file and make his detention hellish. Just out of isolation, Julian Assange, will be present Monday in the courtroom. Her father, John Shipton, visited her. " He's holding on. But the harmful effects of almost 10 years of arbitrary detention are being felt, he says. It will take a long time for them to dissipate. Julian needs to free himself from the slander, the lies and the politicians who slander him. "

Julian Assange's trial is expected to last several weeks. Meanwhile, his French lawyer Éric Dupond-Moretti wants to make an appointment with Emmanuel Macron to file a request for political asylum in France.

He is a man who for years has not been able to be exposed to daylight, who has not been able to walk around in an open area, who has been under enormous pressure. It is clear that under the material conditions which are his, Julian Assange does not have the faculties to be able to defend himself. He has great difficulty seeing his lawyers. In this context, beyond the simple trial which is announced in England, and the trial which could be announced in the framework of an extradition in the United States - I recall that in the state, nevertheless under the blow of 175 years of imprisonment, we consider that France, the French jurists, the European jurists have something to say on the way in which he is indicted. We plan to file a series of requests before all the institutions that can be mobilized to allow legal protection for someone who today needs to be protected to be able to at least have acceptable and dignified living conditions and to be able to defend themselves effectively and legally.

Antoine Vey, lawyer for Julien Assange on the upcoming trial

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