Fight or flight? Government must take a stand for Assange

Australian Greens communications spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam. May 30th, 2012

The Australian Greens have urged the Government to take immediate action to prevent the onward extradition of WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange from Sweden to the United States.

“Mr Assange now faces a further two weeks in legal limbo as his team explores avenues to appeal the decision to extradite him to Sweden,” said Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam.

“The Australian Government has turned its back on Mr Assange, despite the unprecedented action of Swedish prosecutors seeking an extradition order simply for questioning.”

“In the meantime, our government has been extraordinarily coy on what it knows about US plans to prosecute Mr Assange in the United States.”

“The Government must use this time to do all it can to ensure that Mr Assange is not placed incommunicado under conditions of solitary confinement if sent to Sweden. He should be immediately bailed, having complied with extreme bail conditions for 18 months now. Given the unprecedented publicity of this case and repeated adverse comments from senior Swedish political and legal figures, any proceedings against Mr Assange in Sweden should be conducted in full public view.”

Media contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302