WikiLeaks' Julian Assange to fight US extradition bid in UK court
London: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to fight for his freedom in a British court after a decade of legal drama, as he challenges American authorities' attempt to extradite him on spying charges over the site's publication of secret US Military documents.
Lawyers for Assange and the US Government are scheduled to face off in London Monday at an extradition hearing that was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
American prosecutors have indicted the 49-year-old Australian on 18 espionage and computer misuse charges adding up to a maximum sentence of 175 years. His lawyers say the prosecution is a politically motivated abuse of power that will stifle press freedom and put journalists at risk.
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 said.
American prosecutors say Assange is a criminal, not a free-speech hero.
They allege that Assange conspired with US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Odisha man allegedly murders wife; hangs himself to death in Anekal
Anekal: A recent incident of an Odisha-based man allegedly murdering his wife and later committing suicide by hanging himself has come to light late from Heelalige village under Suryanagar Police Station limits.
The deceased are identified as Deepanth Sabar (31) and his wife Manjula Sabar (27), who were reportedly staying in a rented house since three weeks ago and working in a private company in Bommasandra.
Police have said that the couple fought frequently, adding that Sabar might have murdered his wife Manjula in a fit of anger, before hanging himself to death at home.
Shivakumar, the owner of the house, confirmed that he had rented the house to the couple 20 days ago. On Thursday night, when Shivakumar’s mother Chowdamma checked near the house, she reportedly saw Manjula lying dead on a bed and immediately informed Suryanagar Police.
The probe team is learned to have broken the door open and entered the house, where they found that the husband too had died by hanging. The bodies of the couple were nearly decomposed, and the police have said that they duo might have died two days before.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Mallesh Gowda and Inspector Sanjeev Mahajan reportedly inspected the crime scene.
Sabar is said to have recorded a video of himself sitting crying beside his wife’s corpse. A check of his mobile phone matter shows that he committed suicide soon after. Sabar is also learned to have left behind a death note in Odia.
Sabar and Manjula’s bodies have been handed over to their family members after conducting the post-mortem test at the government hospital.
A police case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
