“The head of the C.I.A. has described WikiLeaks as a hostile non-state intelligence agency. In these circumstances, we remain concerned about the risk of extradition to the U.S.”

Jennifer Robinson — Assange’s lawyer in the UK

Today (February 6 2018), Judge Emma Arbuthnot has ruled that the UK arrest warrant against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is still valid. The final ruling in this case will be announced on February 13 2018. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

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Mr Assange’s lawyers had asked the court to withdraw the warrant, arguing it had “lost its purpose”.

The judge, Emma Arbuthnot, did not immediately explain her reasons, saying only:

“I am not persuaded that the warrant should be withdrawn.”

On February 13 2018, judge Arbuthnot will rule on a new bid to have the arrest warrant against Mr. Assange dropped on the grounds of public interest.

Flashback

On Friday February 5 2016, a UN panel published its findings which concluded that Julian Assange was “arbitrarily detained” by the UK and Sweden for more than five years.

The UN panel found that Julian Assange should be released immediately with compensation.

In November 2016, a United Nations panel maintained that Assange continue to be “arbitrarily detained” in London notwithstanding an appeal brought by the British government.

LIVE – Julian Assange full statement after UN panel ruling

Published on February 5 2016 — After receiving UN backing to leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has resided for the past three and a half years, founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, makes a statement calling the U.N. panel’s finding that he has been arbitrarily detained is a “vindication.”

In his speech Assange also accused Britain’s foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, of insulting the United Nations in his response to the panel’s finding.

REFERENCES

Julian Assange is in arbitrary detention, UN panel finds — The Guardian

U.K. Judge Upholds Julian Assange’s Arrest Warrant — NYT (February 6 2018)

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WikiLeaks — Arrest Warrant Against Assange Dropped