Julian Stella Moris, Assange’s fiancee revealed that Assange suffered a stroke at Belmarsh Prison last night.
WikiLeaks publisher 50 is in the maximum-security prison being held while he fights extradition.
According to him, the ministroke was caused by stress from the US lawsuit against him and a general decline in his overall health. He is now facing his third Christmas behind bars.
The High Court appeared via video link in October.
A ‘transient ischaemic attack’ – the interruption of the blood supply to the brain – can be a warning sign of a full stroke. Assange underwent an MRI scan, and now takes anti-stroke medication.
Ms. Moris, 38 years old, is a lawyer who said, “Julian’s struggling, and I fear that this mini-stroke could signal a bigger attack.” We are more concerned about Julian’s survival if he continues to fight the legal battle.
WikiLeaks publisher, 50, Julian Assange (pictured with his son Gabriel) has had a stroke in Belmarsh Prison, his fiancee Stella Moris revealed last night
“It must be addressed immediately. Take a look at the animals locked up in their cages in zoos. This shortens their lives. Julian is suffering from the same fate. It is extremely stressful for Julian to be involved in endless court cases.
He was kept in his cell too long and was not getting enough fresh air, sunlight, a healthy diet and any stimulation he needed.
Assange suffered a serious legal setback when Assange’s High Court overturned an earlier judgment that had prevented Assange being extradited in this year to face US Espionage Act charges.
The US government offered assurances that he could be held in dangerous conditions, which would increase his suicide risk. His attorneys successfully argued for him. The earlier decision was reversed by the High Court after assurances were given by the US that he would not be imprisoned.
Ms Moris claimed that Julian’s stroke occurred because of the stress from battle after battle in chess.
He felt really sick and was unable to attend the hearing. The judge allowed him to leave but did not allow him to go.
“It was horrible to hear a High Court appeal where you couldn’t take part, in which we are discussing your mental health as well as your suicide risk. The US is saying that you’re making this up.
“He was forced to endure all of this, when he ought to have been excused. It was a very bad state for him. He was out of control, his eyes wouldn’t close properly, and his memories were blurry.
Ms Moris (pictured), claimed Assange was locked up for long periods of time and that he was not getting sufficient fresh air, sunlight and stimulation.
Assange was examined by a doctor, who found a delayed pupil response when a light was shone into one eye – a sign of potential nerve damage.
Assange, Ms Moris, and Max Assange, have two boys, Gabriel (four years old) and Max (two). The couple have been together for five year. She said he had ‘more or less’ recovered – but she fears the attack shows his health is failing.
He was visited by her mother for approximately an hour, and she took his children along to see him in the prison hall that is shared with dozens of prisoners and their families.
According to her, Assange is distressed at being separated from his family and added: “He finds it difficult to contemplate a third Christmas in prison.”
Following Wikileaks’ publication of hundreds of thousands of documents that relate to both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, US officials want Assange charged with conspiracy to obtain or disclose national defence information.
Because he feared extradition in London, he sought refuge at the Ecuadorian Embassy. He stayed there for seven years before he was forced to be removed.
He has until December 23 to appeal against last week’s judgment, and could face many months – potentially years – on remand in the UK.
Ms Moris said that “It is an outrage” for someone to spend years in prison while they are not on a sentence.
“Julian does not pose a threat to any person and is completely incompatible with his personal liberty and the right of a family to live happily.
‘The US plays dirty every step of the way – it’s a war of attrition. This is evident from his mini-stroke which has had a serious impact on him.
Last night, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated that he wouldn’t comment on any individual prisoner.