By Countercurrents.org
A UN legal panel has ruled that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange should be allowed go free and be compensated for his “deprivation of liberty”. The UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said that Assange’s detention “should be brought to an end, that his physical integrity and freedom of movement be respected”. “Assange should be afforded the right to compensation,” it added.
The Wikileaks founder had been subjected to “different forms of deprivation of liberty” it said, initially while he was held in isolation at London’s Wandsworth Prison for 10 days in 2010. The deprivation had been “continuous” since he was initially arrested in the UK on 7 December 2010.
It also found a “lack of diligence” by the Swedish Prosecutor’s Office in its investigations, which resulted in his lengthy loss of liberty. Three members of the five-person panel found in Mr Assange’s favour, while one rejected his claim and another did not take part in the investigation.
Assange, 44, – who faces extradition to Sweden over a rape claim, which he denies – claimed asylum in London’s Ecuadorean embassy in 2012.
He has been arbitrarily detained since his arrest in 2010, the panel said.
Speaking at a news conference via a video link from the embassy, he said the opinion of the panel was “vindication”, adding: “The lawfulness of my detention is now a matter of settled law.”
Mr Assange said it was a “really significant victory that has brought a smile to my face”.
However, the UK Foreign Office said the report “changes nothing” and it will “formally contest the working group’s opinion”.
UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Assange was a “fugitive from justice”, adding that he can come out “any time he chooses” but will still have to face justice in Sweden.
The Police said it will make “every effort” to arrest Assange should he leave the embassy.
The government says the panel’s ruling is not legally binding in the UK and a European Arrest Warrant remains in place – meaning the UK continues to have a legal obligation to extradite Mr Assange.
05 February, 2016
Countercurrents.org