London: A British judge on Wednesday denied bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been jailed in Britain since 2019 as he fights extradition to the United States.
District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ordered Assange to remain in prison while the courts consider an appeal by US authorities against a decision not to extradite him.
On Monday, the judge rejected an American request to send Assange to the US to face espionage charges over WikiLeaks publication of secret military documents a decade ago. She denied extradition on health grounds, saying the 49-year-old Australian was likely to kill himself if held under harsh US prison conditions.
BBC News
By Dominic Casciani
image captionMr Assange and District Judge Vanessa Baraitser
Julian Assange will remain in jail as he continues to fight against extradition to the United States.
District Judge Vanessa Baraitser said there were substantial grounds to believe he would abscond.
On Monday, she ruled the Wikileaks founder cannot be extradited to the US because he might kill himself.
The US is now appealing that decision - and had opposed releasing the 49-year-old from a maximum security prison before the case is heard.
Mr Assange, who was wearing a dark suit and face mask, was not seen to react to the decision at Westminster Magistrates Court.
The ruling means Assange must remain in London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison where he has been held since he was arrested in April 2019 for skipping bail during a separate legal battle seven years earlier.
Assange s partner, Stella Moris, said the decision was “a huge disappointment.” WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said it is inhumane. It is illogical.”
Lawyers for the U.S. government have appealed the decision not to extradite Assange, and the case will be heard by Britain s Hugh Court at an unspecified date.
Clair Dobbin, a British lawyer acting for the U.S., said Assange had shown he would go “to almost any length” to avoid extradition, and it was likely he would flee if granted bail.
Updated: 6 Jan 2021, 16:44
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WIKILEAKS founder Julian Assange has had his hopes for freedom dashed after being denied bail at a court hearing today.
Today s decision came after it was ruled on Monday that Assange, 49, cannot be extradited to the US to face spy charges because he is a suicide risk.
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Julian Assange, seen here in a court artist s sketch, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court todayCredit: Reuters
But Assange had his bail application denied by a judge at a Westminster Magistrates Court hearing this morning.
District Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected an application for Assange to be released with strict conditions over concerns he could go to ground .