Julian Assange misses today’s extradition hearing as court hears he is ‘not very well’. Magistrate says next hearing June 12 could be held at Belmarsh prison.
Julian Assange’s extradition hearing could be held at Belmarsh after he failed to appear via video-link today due to him being “not very well”, a court heard.
The 47-year-old had been expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court from Belmarsh Prison in his fight against extradition to the United States over allegations that he conspired to break into a classified Pentagon computer.
Australian Assange did not appear at the five-minute hearing on Thursday, where chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot set a date of June 12 for the next hearing, and said: “It may be that that hearing will take place in Belmarsh.”
Ms Arbuthnot added: “It may be more convenient for everyone if it’s there.”
Assange was represented at the hearing by solicitor Gareth Peirce. Ms Arbuthnot said: “He’s not very well, is that right?”
Ms Peirce replied: “Not very well.”
Ms Arbuthnot is no stranger to Belmarsh, having earlier this month held a hearing at the prison for Joseph McCann, the suspected serial rapist who refused to leave his cell.
news.yahoo.com/julian-assanges-extradition-hearing-could-095804899.html
AC