07/02/2011

Risk Of Injustice For Assange

The lawyer of Julian Assange has highlighted the risk of a "flagrant denial of justice" if the Wikileaks founder is tried for rape in Sweden.

Discussing separate charges relating to Wikileaks, Geoffrey Robertson QC said he feared his client could face the death penalty if extradited to the US.

However it is understood that the European Court of Human Rights would intervene if any threat of unfair treatment was evident.

Mr Assange, 39, denies sexual assaults on two women.

At the extradition hearing in London, his lawyers said no arrest warrant was needed as he was "willing and able" to co-operate with Swedish authorities.

As Mr Assange had not been charged, they added that the European Arrest Warrant under which he had been detained was invalid.

Mr Robertson also stated there was a risk the Wikileaks founder could be extradited to the US, or Guantanamo Bay, and could face the death penalty.

He also highlighted his concerns due to extensive press coverage leading to a "trial by media".

The extradition hearing is expected to last two days.

(BMcN/GK)

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