TRANSCRIPT
[For quotation purposes, confirm audio]
VIDEO - RT News
SOURCE
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ACCOMPANYING ARTICLE
Published time: 13 Aug, 2015 17:05
Edited time: 13 Aug, 2015 17:52
Assange can’t leave embassy as UK wants to arrest him, no matter what – attorney to RT
http://www.rt.com/news/312385-assange-attorney-uk-arrest/
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Interview With Assange Legal Team Attorney: Carey Shenkman
Reporter
For some insight now, the implications of one of our top stories here: that of Julian Assange.
I'm now joined by a member of the Assange legal team, Carey Shenkman.
Thanks so much Carey for joining us here on RT International to discuss this.
So, first off, tell us how much of a relief for your client is this expiration of some of the allegations against him.
Carey Shenkman
Attorney: Assange Legal Team
The results of today are ambiguous because after five (5) years of doing nothing in Julian Assange's case, Swedish prosecutors decided today to drop most of the allegations against him.
But it's been almost five (5) years that Assange has been detained without charge, which has been absolutely unacceptable for his health, for his family, and for his reputation.
Reporter
Well, the allegation of 'rape' will not expire until 2020, so does Assange believe he'll have to stay in the embassy until then?
Carey Shenkman
Attorney: Assange Legal Team
Assange won't be able to leave the embassy no matter what Sweden does, because the United Kingdom has said it would extradite - sorry, the United Kingdom will arrest Assange, no matter what - and the UK will make no promise that it won't extradite Assange to the United State.
And, after all these years that Assange has been detained, you have to ask yourself: what is this case really about? And, well, it's about the United States where, for all this time, the United States has been building a national security case against WikiLeaks.
A federal court in the United States confirmed in March that there's an active and ongoing national security case against Assange and WikiLeaks and, in fact, over fifty (50) free speech organisations around the world have condemned the US Justice Department because of the effects this precedent could have on freedom of the press and the news gathering process.
In fact, just yesterday, alleged WikiLeaks source, Chelsea Manning, was threatened with INDEFINITE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.
Now let's wait just a second. Solitary confinement's a practice that's widely recognised by the United Nations, and the international community, as TORTURE.
And here the United States is threatening the alleged WikiLeaks source with this torture.
So Assange has every right to fear similar, or even worse treatment, if he ever risks extradition to the United States.
Reporter
Now, is it possible that the allegations which have expired today, be renewed?
Carey Shenkman
Attorney: Assange Legal Team
There would be no precedent in Swedish law for that and our view is that this case simply needs to be dropped.
For years now, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, the Swedish courts, our legal team, and Assange, have been asking the Swedish prosecutor to come to London.
In fact, nearly nine (9) months ago, a Swedish court said that the prosecutor wasn't doing her duty with the investigation. That was nine months ago when there were four (4) allegations. Well, today, there's just one, and he's still stuck in the embassy.
This is unacceptable. And she has failed - the prosecutor - has failed to move this case forward.
So the case really needs to be dropped; it's about time.
Reporter
Well, Carey Shenkman, thanks so much for talking to us.
And that was attorney representing Julian Assange.
Carey Shenkman
Attorney: Assange Legal Team
Thank you.
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Oops ... I need not have transcribed audio for this post. It's in article.
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