Overview
- Read the Swedish police report in Swedish and here in English.
Since August 2010, all discussions regarding the ’Swedish case’ have gravitated around the allegations against Julian Assange and whether the arrest orders have been procedurally correct, not whether the allegations are true.
Julian Assange is prevented from responding to the allegations and from giving his version of events. Julian Assange’s legal team by law cannot challenge the allegations on the facts of the case or through Julian Assange’s own version of events. Instead, the legal team is limited to challenging the validity of the European Arrest Warrant instrument on narrow, mainly procedural grounds.
Background
Sweden has issued an extradition request for Julian Assange in connection with a preliminary investigation. He has not been indicted.
Julian Assange has been under house arrest since 7 December 2010 in Norfolk, England. He has an electronic tag and reports to police daily.
February Hearing: The UK District Court ordered the extradition to go ahead.
High Court Ruling: will be on 12 and 13 July. In the July Appeal, Julian Assange’s legal team will be headed by the solicitor Gareth Peirce (Birnberg Peirce & Partners), and the barrister Ben Emmerson from Matrix Chambers. In the appeal the judge may take into consideration new evidence.
Prior to the Arrest:
Julian Assange had been staying at the Frontline Club for journalists in Paddington, London, during much of October and November 2010. He held several talks during this period, including an address at the United Nations in Geneva. He flew back to London on 10 November 2010.
In the immediate weeks prior to and days after the issuing of the EAW, Assange received numerous threats on his life on FOX News and from US senators (see Timing: EAW & INTERPOL Red Notice ).
Julian Assange voluntarily went into UK custody on 7 December 2010, the same day The European Arrest Warrant was authorised. Assange spent 10 days in solitary confinement in Wandsworth prison. He was kept in solitary confinement in the maximum security ’separation unit’. He was released on £240,000 ($374,000) bail, provided by sureties, including John Pilger, Jemima Goldsmith, Michael Moore and Bianca Jagger.
- Read the Swedish police report in Swedish and here in English.
