Judge rejects WikiLeaks founder plea to cancel arrest warrant
London: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had his hopes of freedom dashed on Tuesday when a judge in London upheld a warrant for his arrest on a charge of skipping bail.
The 46-year-old Australian has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 fearing arrest if he leaves the building, potentially paving the way for him to be extradited to the US, reports Xinhua.
Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot delivered her ruling on Tuesday at Westminster magistrate’s court in London stating it is in the public interest to pursue him for failing to surrender to his bail.
"I find arrest is a proportionate response even though Assange has restricted his freedom for some years," she was quoted as saying.
"Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition come to court to face the consequences of their own choices. He should have the courage to do the same. He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favor," added the judge.
Assange moved into the embassy initially to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was wanted for questioning over an allegation of a sexual assault which he has always denied.
The Metropolitan Police hold the warrant for his arrest if he steps outside the compound even though the Swedish authorities have now dropped their investigation against him.
Assange's barrister Mark Summers argued that arresting him was no longer proportionate or in the public interest, saying the years Assange has spent inside the embassy were adequate if the not severe punishment for his actions.
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Expert Session on VLSI Industry and IC Fabrication Held at BIT
Mangalore, December 26, 2024: The Department of Training & Placement and the Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering at Bearys Institute of Technology (BIT), in collaboration with the IEEE Mangalore Subsection and the IEEE BIT Student Branch, organized an insightful session on VLSI Industry and IC Fabrication at the National Seminar Hall.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Abdullah Gubbi, Head of the Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, who emphasized the importance of VLSI design and IC fabrication in shaping the future of technology. He highlighted how such sessions bridge the gap between academia and industry, inspiring students to explore cutting-edge advancements in the electronics sector. The event reflects BIT’s commitment to providing its students with exposure to real-world technological advancements and fostering an environment of continuous learning and innovation.
The session was led by Mr. Pavan Raj, Senior Layout Design Engineer at Karmic Design Pvt. Ltd., Manipal, who provided an in-depth overview of chip design and the intricate steps involved in IC fabrication. His talk covered the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the VLSI industry, offering students a clear understanding of the practical aspects of semiconductor technology.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Bibi Fathima, a student of the ECE department, who expressed gratitude to the resource person for sharing his valuable knowledge and to the organizing team for their efforts in making the event a success.
The session was well-received by the attendees, who actively participated in discussions and appreciated the opportunity to learn from an industry expert.
