Excessive Commissioner to the UK Stephen Smith is to go to jailed Australian, Julian Assange, in custody.
The Wikileaks founder continues to face espionage prices in the USA and stays in London’s Belmarsh jail, held there since 2019 whereas preventing extradition proceedings.
Will probably be the primary time since November that 12 months he has accepted a consular go to and the primary time a excessive commissioner has met with the Australian behind bars.
Assange’s father John Shipton has welcomed the information.
“It would present a possibility for the excessive commissioner to see the appalling situations Julian is saved in and the horrible toll that his ongoing incarceration is having on his well being and on his household,” he mentioned in an announcement on Saturday.
His son’s long-running ordeal had been particularly heartbreaking for his daughter-in-law, Stella, and two younger grandchildren. Gabriel and Max, Mr Shipton mentioned.
Household’s ordeal
“The glimmers of hope adopted by bitter disappointments. The humiliation of physique searches by uniformed guards and horrifying canine searches simply to go to their husband and father for a valuable brief time,” he mentioned.
“It may and may finish proper now.”
Assange Marketing campaign spokesperson Greg Barns SC known as the event vital.
It is the primary time in over a decade of detention {that a} senior Australian authorities official has visited Australian writer Julian Assange,” he mentioned.
‘Finish this injustice in the present day’
“The UK Authorities may finish this injustice in the present day. All it has to do is say ‘no’ to the US extradition.”
Mr Barns mentioned as soon as Mr Smith had seen Assange, they might urge him to talk along with his British counterparts because it was of their energy to disclaim the extradition and free him from “the nightmare he has endured for over 13 years”.
Mr Smith mentioned Mr Shipton had approached him following his current appointment to the UK, requesting the go to.
“By means of his attorneys, Mr Assange agreed to that go to and I welcome that very a lot,” he advised SBS Information.
“We’ve made, earlier than my arrival, over 40 gives to supply consular help, none of which he has taken up. That is not mentioned critically, that is only a reality, however I am more than happy he has agreed to my request to see him.”
-AAP
