Julian Assange
Julian Assange is an Australian who is editor-in-chief at WikiLeaks. The Times has a profile[1] of him and The Australian a more detailed one.[2]
For his work with WikiLeaks, Assange received the 2008 Economist Freedom of Expression Award and the 2010 Sam Adams Award. Utne Reader named him as one of the "25 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World". In 2010, New Statesman ranked Assange number 23 among the "The World's 50 Most Influential Figures". The Sydney Peace Foundation gave him their peace medal in 2011.[3]
Swedish rape charge
In December 2010, the Swedish Supreme Court ruled that Assange, must appear before a magistrate in Stockholm to answer accusations of rape and sexual harassment brought by two Swedish women. previously, Assange's offer to appear when in Sweden was not taken up, apparently waiting for him to leave the country before challenging him. Sweden also refused to grant him a residence permit, which had been sought in order to gain legal protection for the wikileaks website.
Following the court's refusal to hear an appeal of the warrant, Swedish authorities said they were fine-tuning a "red notice" for Assange's arrest that is being relayed to member countries by Interpol, the international anti-crime cooperative."[4] Police in Britain, where Assange is located, had "they could not act on the mandate without more specifics on the potential charges and the penalties Assange might face under Swedish law. " Sweden responded, on 3 December, with a new warrant. Assange's attorney, Mark Stephens, called the entire process irregular.[5]
There is a Justice for Assange campaign.
He has lost the first round. The judge in the extradition hearing ruled against him on all major points.[6] This was appealed, and the higher court confirmed the lower court's ruling. Another appeal [1] is going forward.
Shows
A play [2] called "The Stainless Steel Rat" (the name borrowed from stories by Harry Harrison) and an opera [3] are being rehearsed.
The Russia Today TV network has hired Assange to host a talk show. [4]
References
- ↑ "Profile: Julian Assange, the man behind Wikileaks", Sunday Times, April 11, 2010
- ↑ Robert Manne (March 5, 2011), "Inside the brain of WikiLeak's Julian Assange", The Australian
- ↑ "Assange handed Sydney peace medal", Sydney Morning Herald, May 11, 2011
- ↑ Edward Cody (2 December 2010), "Swedish court upholds warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange; amid furor, provocateur remains out of sight", Washington Post
- ↑ "Wikileaks warrant 'issued to UK'", BBC News, 3 December 2010
- ↑ Clive Coleman (Februray 24, 2011), "Wikileaks' Julian Assange handed 'resounding defeat'", BBC