WikLeaks founder Julian Assange will be fighting for his freedom in British court over the publication of secret US military documents detailing the aspects of Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
The hearing is scheduled to resume from Monday and Assange will be challenging American Authorities who have been involved in years of legal drama over the matter.
Assange and US Government’s lawyers will be facing off at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey. The hearing is due to last three to four weeks. It was earlier scheduled for April but was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
As per AFP, Assange, who has become a face of investigative journalism, had a very strong defence, but says the case has been “highly politicised’.
Earlier, in a February hearing, US President Donald Trump had asserted that he would pardon Assange if he denies Russia’s link with leaked emails from the campaign of Hillary Clinton, who was Trump’s opponent for presidential bid in 2016 election.
Including US Espionage Act for the 2010 release of 500,000 secret filed detailing the aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iran, Assange has been charged for 18 counts that get him into jail for up to 175 years.
His lawyers has said that prosecution is highly motivated and is exercising abuse of power which can be termed as a threat to press freedom.
Assange attorney Jennifer Robinson said the case “is fundamentally about basic human rights and freedom of speech.”
“Journalists and whistle-blowers who reveal illegal activity by companies or governments and war crimes – such as the publications Julian has been charged for – should be protected from prosecution,” she added.
Assange’s partner, Stella Moris, attempted to get him released in March, saying his life is in danger inside the prison during the coronavirus outbreak. She also said that she feared he would take his own life and their sons will have to live without a father.