The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur has voiced "deep concern" for Julian Assange’s wellbeing after a two-day visit to Belmarsh prison in the UK.
Assange, the Australian founder of WikiLeaks, has spent five years in this London prison since his arrest. He’s fighting against extradition to the US.
Prosecuted by the US justice system for publishing more than 700,000 confidential documents on US military and diplomatic activities, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, from 2010 onwards. If convicted, he faces up to 175 years in prison.
"The harsh treatment meted out to Julian Assange risks dissuading other people who wish to communicate truthful information about armed conflicts," said Sunna Aevarsdottir, an Icelandic parliamentarian and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
"Whether he is extradited or not, his prosecution and lengthy detention are already likely to deter other whistleblowers and journalists from exposing the various transgressions committed by governments or powerful private actors," she said in a statement.
The London court is due to rule on the guarantees for Julian Assange's treatment if he is extradited to the United States.
If these are deemed insufficient, Assange can appeal against his extradition, which was given the green light by the UK government in June 2022.
If a final appeal is not granted, Julian Assange's supporters have already warned that they will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in the hope of having the extradition suspended.
In April, US President Joe Biden said the US was considering Australia's request to drop espionage charges against Assange.
