Julian Assange: Extradition Hearing Starts in London

Julian Assange wants to be known as a journalist. However, some members of the American government do not agree with that career description. He is being accused of criminal action in releasing government files to the public via WikiLeaks.

Assange has not yet faced charges for a crime, notes the New York Times. Even if he is charged with having nonconsensual sex in Sweden, in that country rape has a sentence of a maximum four years in jail.

Possible Extradition to Sweden

Mr. Assange is back in court in London today to fight extradition to Sweden, notes Al Jazeera. This day in court will be about life or death for Assange. If the judge decides to send him back to Sweden, it could open the door for the United States to try to bring him here to face trial and possibly the death penalty.

He could face charges here for illegal distribution of government files. These charges will be controversial. At this point, it seems that Assange did not download or steal the documents, he only distributed them.

A Terrorist?

Joe Biden called Assange a "high tech terrorist," notes the Guardian. Biden claimed that Assange "put lives at risk and made it more difficult for the US to conduct its business around the world." And yet Assange has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. What will history show Assange to be: a peace maven and journalist, or an alleged sexual predator?

Assange is on a quest to bring the truth to the world. Will his work with WikiLeaks go on, or is he about to be extradited to Stockholm, Sweden, for alleged sex crimes? He has likely ensured that any government documents he has are in the safe hands of others to continue his work even if he is in jail.

Volunteers at WikiLeaks

Both of the women who have accused Assange of improper sexual behavior were volunteers with WikiLeaks, notes the NY Times. The timing of the charges brought against Assange makes the cases seem possibly politically motivated.

There are probably a few nights Mr. Assange would like to erase from his life. Perhaps he needs to be a bit less friendly with his volunteers. Casual sex always has risks, including the possibility of rape charges.

The imbroglio Assange has found himself in may end up with him extradited to Sweden. That in turn will make it easier for the United States to later extradite him to our country or seize him for rendition to face charges for releasing government files to the public. This charge could result in imprisonment in Guantanamo Bay prison or even the death penalty.

The world is watching what happens to Assange. If the United States seizes him, how will he be treated? What kind of ruckus will his extradition to America bring to our politics?

One thing is clear: If Bradley Manning, a young soldier, was able to allegedly download hundreds of thousands of government documents without detection, then the government does not know how to use technology to ensure that security is maintained. That is alarming indeed.

History will reveal the impact WikiLeaks and Assange have on politics, the wars around the world, diplomatic relations and the standards for journalism. Is Mr. Assange a hero or a villain? It is far too early to answer that question just yet.

Sources:

Guardian

New York Times

Al Jazeera