Jeremy Corbyn demands that Julian Assange be ‘hailed for telling truth’ and is ‘not sent into the USA and released from prison’ before the second day of his High Court extradition hearing

  • Former Labour leader claimed that WikiLeaks founder was innocent of any crime
  • Assange could also “take his own life” if he’s extradited to the US by Mr Corbyn.
  • The MP demanded that he be released from Belmarsh prison, south east London.
  • It is the second day of arguments in the High Court challenge by the US government










Jeremy Corbyn claimed that Julian Assange should be ‘hailed as a truthteller’ and released from prison before the second day of a High Court hearing.

Former Labour leader, he said that WikiLeaks founder had ‘committed no crime’ but could ‘take his life’ if extradited.

The MP also requested that he be released in Belmarsh prison in south-east London’so he could continue his life with the partner and his children’.

His comments were made during the second day’s legal arguments in the US government’s High Court challenge to a judge’s decision to not extradite Assange.

The Wikileaks founder didn’t attend the hearing via videolink from Belmarsh prison, where he is currently being held.

A small crowd gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice, central London, to show support for Assange before the hearing.

The former Labour leader (pictured today) said the WikiLeaks founder 'committed no crime' and could 'take his own life' if he is extradited

The former Labour leader (pictured here today) stated that WikiLeaks founder had ‘committed no crime’, and could take his own life’ if extradited

The MP also called for him to be released from Belmarsh prison in south east London (pictured, a court sketch yesterday) 'so he can continue his life with his partner and his children'

The MP also requested his release from Belmarsh prison, south east London (pictured a court sketch yesterday),’so that he can continue to live with his partner and children’

Supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London today

Today, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange supporters protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

Among them was Mr Corbyn, who said: ‘He’s (Assange) committed no crime, and he’s in a maximum security prison.

“If he moved to America, he might well, due to his mental health condition take his own life.

“That’s what we did to the person who revealed the truth, about Afghanistan, about Iraq, and about surveillance. They also revealed the astonishing levels of secret power held in the United States and other Governments around the world.

He would be celebrated in a different country as a whistleblower, who exposed the truth about the dangers we all face, and the dangers facing the world.

“I believe we should be witnesses to Julian’s bravery, his determination, and demand that he is not removed under any circumstances from the United States and that he be freed from Belmarsh so that he can continue his family life with his partner and with his children.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after a brief appearance outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London today

After a brief appearance today outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Jeremy Corbyn, a former Labour leader, leaves.

Stella Moris (right), partner of Assange, and WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson (left) arrive at the court today

Stella Moris, partner of Assange (right), and Kristinn Horfnsson, WikiLeaks editor–in-chief (left), arrive at court today

John Shipton, father of incarcerated WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, arrives to the Royal Courts of Justice in London today

John Shipton, the father of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange incarcerated, arrives today at the Royal Courts of Justice in London

Assange supporters gather outside the High Court in London for the second day of the hearing on Thursday

Supporters of Assange gathered outside the High Court, London, for the second day hearing.

Today is the last day of the two-day High Court proceedings in front of Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, and Lord Justice Holroyde. A decision will be made at a later date.

Assange (50) is wanted in the USA on suspicion of conspiring to obtain and disclose national defense information following WikiLeaks publication of hundreds of thousand of leaked documents relating the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

After a long extradition hearing, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled January that Assange shouldn’t be sent to the US. This was based on a real risk of suicide.

Advertisement