The reason is that there is a counterargument that this variant could simply be the one that was most prevalent around schools in London during lockdown.
In keeping schools open, widespread transmission occurred. Giving a non biological advantage to the variant, and a different population dynamic.
It might not be one or the other also, possibility both.
Assange is in court in the morning for his extradition claim by the US, to receive the considered judgment.
The last high profile extradtion was Gary Mickinnon, who hacked the Pentagon, and who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Similalrly he was threatened with a lifetime in custody in the US, and it was Theresa May who ultimately denied the request. Though different to this one, there was no court hearing as such, and the matter was subject to a diplomatic request. I raise this because the UK does have form for denying US extradition requests.
Somehow, though, I feel poor Julian Assange will be packed off to the US soon enough and contained in the Colorado Supermax. Completely unfair and heinous from a State bearing a statue for liberty as one of its major symbolisms.
At this point, I think countries can be overtly political with the US, because they have abused the process so badly. Just tell the US DoJ Assange will be on the first flight over after Sacoolas arrives in the UK.
Its an interesting point, but I think you need 10 x Sacoolas to outweigh US interest in Assange. I dont actually think he has done anything illegal other than piss them off by showing outright war crimes. And just where is the ICC indictment…
Not a matter of outweighing. If they want Assange, ante up on the fairly minor Sacoolas matter. Extradition goes two ways, or it doesn’t.
Assange has definitely done things that are illegal under US law, that is not really in question. Just a matter of whether the extraterritoriality embedded in US law invalidates the principles that govern extradition.
Each case will be treated on merit so Sacoolas is irrelevant actually, well in a legalistic sense, but no doubt there has been more tactile conversations.
Well, there you said it, extraterritoriality…no municipal laws apply outside of jurisdictional borders. Manning committed the originating offence within US borders. Assange was elsewhere. The point will turn on whether, as a journalist, or whistleblower, Assange aided and abetted facilitated the offence of Manning; but still Assange was outside US borders. The global reach of websites does evolve to undermine extraterritoriality; as far as I am aware there has not been a definitive case on it. Extradition usually does not account for Extraterritoriality.
An even greater aspect to the case is the further material Assange threatens to release if he is served up to the US.
Assange has broken many a law, but at least he hasn’t killed anyone.
Are you sure, that a war crime amounts to protection under security laws?
Surely the answer for Assange is to sign for Manchester City?
UK have denied US extradition of Assange!
Cat amongst the pigeons. Should be interesting to see what comes of this…
Maybe that war the Donald is going to start will be with the UK…
“I am relieved the judge just ruled against extradition, however I am very unhappy about how she stuck to all the major arguments put forward by the US to characterise Assange’s work as going beyond free speech and journalism,” investigative journalist Stefania Maurizi told Al Jazeera following the ruling.
Apparently all the reasoning supports the US case other than the issue of Assange’s mental health; Im surprised actually, MH is not normally a reason to stay a prosecution unless the accused has suffered a loss of touch with reality. This could roll on another 3 years, in which case Assange would have been voluntarily and involuntarily holed up for around 10-11 years.
I’m happy about that. I think it would have been terrible for him if he had ended up in the US.
But I wonder: has Assange actually done anything to warrant being held up in prison within the UK for so long?
Me too, although most press were reporting they feared the worst over the weekend.
Im with you, I dont think he has broken a law, essentially reporting a war crime, to me, cannot amount to a breach of security laws. The States say he aided and abetted the leaking of sensitive security information; other than the infamous video. They basically want to punish and make an example of him.
He cant be released because of his antics in the Ecuadorian embassy, and he is deemed to be a risk of failing to surrender.
Free world 1 USA 0
Yeah, The US has sought to have him extradited on the allegation he hacked pentagon computers. In reality, he simply published the information he was sent.
A good article, thanks, never knew the US conspired to bring down the Dilma Gov in Brasil due to ‘interests’ in their oil reserves.
If you go to the Wikileaks page now, the sheer volume of material against the CIA is simply dazzling. They are into everything and behind some of the major breaches of Microsoft computers and related applications. That goes beyond ‘national security’ to me.
The problem he has is that as far as I know Sweden are still seeking his arrest for the allegations of rape/sexual assault made against him. I think some of those complaints may have become time barred under Swedish law but not all of them.
He’s worried that either he won’t get a fair trial in Sweden (I don’t think that’s justified) or, that as soon as he places himself at risk of being detained in connection with the Swedish charges, he’ll be at further risk of then being deported to the US (a more legitimate concern, imo).
Ah, the BBC clarify/correct the above here:
Was reported in Nov 2019 that Sweden has discontinued the investigation. Notionally it could be reopened but there does not seem to be any current information on it.
Thanks. It’s starting to come back to me! Was it around that point that Assange got kicked out of the embassy? He was then arrested for breaching his bail conditions (imposed when he was first arrested in connection with the Swedish charges) when he evaded the jurisdiction of the court by seeking refuge in the embassy.
I think that’s right?