According to RIA Novosti, the courthouse, where the hearings are held, is connected to Belmarsh maximum security prison, from where Assange is transported through the tunnel.

“He was handcuffed 11 times last night, forced to undress twice, placed in five different cells,” the lawyer said.

According to him, Assange was also taken away the legal documents that he studied.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser, who is in charge of extradition, stated that she does not have the authority to intervene in these matters, but hopes that Assange’s rights in prison and the law will be respected.

“I am very limited in funds, this is a question for the prison authorities ... You can prepare a written statement to the prison authorities,” she said.

Lawyer James Lewis, representing the interests of the United States, in turn, said that it was necessary that the Assange trial be fair and that nothing would impede the process.

Earlier, a US representative said in a London court that Assange was charged with the usual criminal charges, and informing him of the population does not justify a violation of the law.

On February 24, the Woolwich royal court began a hearing on the extradition of Assange.

It was reported that the first stage, during which the parties will present arguments, will last a week.

In May - early June, another three weeks of hearings will be held, where the parties will present evidence and call witnesses in the case.

According to lawyer Jennifer Robinson, the process can take several years.

Assange, accused of sexual harassment and rape in Sweden in 2010, has been hiding in the Embassy of Ecuador in London since June 2012. On the morning of April 11, 2019, he was detained at the request of the United States.

A court in London found him guilty of violating bail conditions and sentenced him to 11 months in prison.

At the end of May, U.S. authorities said they had charged Assange with 17 episodes of violation of the espionage and secret information law.