WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leaves after appearing at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court in London February 24, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Stefan WermuthJulian Assange Attacks 'Rubber-Stamp' Warrant As He Loses Extradition Battle -- The Guardian
WikiLeaks founder can be sent to Sweden, Belmarsh magistrates court rules.
The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is to be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. Assange will appeal, his legal team has confirmed. If they lose he will be sent to Sweden in 10 days.
Speaking outside Belmarsh magistrates court in south-east London after the judgment, Assange attacked the European arrest warrant system.
He dismissed the decision to extradite him as a "rubber-stamping process". He said: "It comes as no surprise but is nevertheless wrong. It comes as the result of a European arrest warrant system amok."
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More News On Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange Losing His Extradition Hearing In England
Wikileaks' Julian Assange handed 'resounding defeat' -- BBC
Wikileaks Founder to Face Sex-Assault Charges in Sweden -- Wall Street Journal
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange loses round in extradition fight -- L.A. Times
WikiLeaks’ Assange Loses Extradition Hearing, Expected To Appeal -- Forbes
Judge rules WikiLeaks founder Assange can be extradited to Sweden -- CNN
London Court Grants Swedish Request to Extradite Assange -- New York Times
Julian Assange extradition decision: full judgment -- The Guardian
Factbox: Legal process for WikiLeaks founder Assange -- Reuters
Factbox: Key facts about WikiLeaks' Assange -- Reuters
Timeline: WikiLeaks' Assange fights extradition -- Reuters
My Comment: If extradited to Sweden he will be put in jail until his trial, and this will impact Wikileaks operations .... but by how much I do not know. On the one hand I am not happy that he has leaked a lot of sensitive U.S. intelligence/State Department cables .... harming for the long term U.S. security and diplomatic efforts.
But .... on the other hand, the information that he has leaked has been an eye opener, and the blogger/reporter/analysis in me has found it to be a validation on how I see the world, as well as giving me news and information that I would never have thought of before.