Hero or Traitor?: The Julian Assange Question
With recent attempts to have his UK arrest warrant repealed, and speculation increasing that he has overstayed his welcome at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, notorious Australian computer programmer turned journalist Julian Assange, appears to be running out of options. The Australian Government turned its back on Assange years ago, suggesting that the U.S. alliance may be too valuable to be potentially jeopardised through government support for him.
Having lived in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London for almost six years now, following the South American nation’s decision to grant him asylum in 2012, Assange is unable to leave this residence due to the prospect of his arrest and possible extradition to Sweden by British police if he steps foot outside of the embassy. The charges for which he is being pursued — questionable allegations of having committed rape during a visit to Sweden, have raised questions regarding the legitimacy of the case against Assange.
The elephant in the room is of course the question of U.S. interests in relation to the Assange case — the U.S. Government have often spoken out about Assange’s work violating U.S. national security interests. However, with Assange’s brainchild — the notorious Wikileaks, playing a key role in the recent election triumph of U.S. President Donald Trump, speculation began to mount recently that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel for the world’s most wanted man. This speculation never came to fruition though, with Assange’s confinement in the Ecuadorian Embassy still continuing, amidst mounting concerns that Assange is experiencing health concerns in relation to his prolonged captivity.
Should the Australian Government step in and vouch for Assange? Have your say in the poll below:
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