Julian Assange lawyer wants Malcolm Turnbull to ‘stand up to Trump administration’

WIKILEAKS founder has made a plea to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s help as a final deadline looms.

JULIAN Assange — the Australian WikiLeaks founder in exile at a London embassy — wants the Turnbull Government to urgently intervene in his case as he faces the imminent prospect of expulsion from his refuge.

Assange could be kicked out of the Ecuadorean Embassy in the coming weeks after that country’s new president indicated he wanted the 47-year-old to leave, and only intended to ensure he wouldn’t face the death penalty if extradited to the United States. The WikiLeaks boss has been at the embassy since 2012.

The development comes as new British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt claimed Assange was facing “serious charges” from local police. But there is confusion about what they are, as he is only facing a minor charge for breaching bail.

Jennifer Robinson, Assange’s lawyer in London, told news.com.au she was “obviously very concerned” about the speculation he could be forced from the embassy.

“We are monitoring that really closely. From our point of view he requires ongoing protection (because) the risk of prosecution is as high as it has ever been.”

The Times quoted a source familiar with the case who expected Assange would “lose his asylum status imminently. This means he will be expelled from the embassy. When this will happen is impossible to say.”

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange wants the Turnbull Government to do more to help his case. Picture: AFP/Justin Tallis

It was Ms Robinson’s view, and Assange’s, that Australia could help break the stalemate.

“Julian is still an Australian citizen and they have an obligation — and I think a duty — to exercise rights of protection over an Australian citizen,” she said. “They could usefully engage in this to help solve the impasse.”

Ms Robinson said Canberra had good relationships with both the UK and US, so it shouldn’t be a difficult matter.

“For me as a fellow Australian citizen, it is disappointing the government has not done more — but that doesn’t preclude them from doing it now and I very much hope that they will.”

She said it raised concerns about the Federal Government’s willingness to “stand up for Australians” when the US Government was involved.

Assange was grateful for the support of the Australian public.

“I would say he is homesick for Australia, he would love to go back, but we have been disappointed by previous governments’ failure to take action and it is time the Australian Government listens to that and takes action.”

Ms Robinson was mystified as to what charges Mr Hunt was referring to.

“Jeremy Hunt’s statement is curious in the sense that Mr Assange doesn’t face any charges whatsoever … A magistrate will have to decide whether to bring bail proceedings against him when he leaves the embassy.”

Julian Assange has been in the embassy since 2012. Picture: AFP/Ben Stansall

A Swedish investigation into allegations of rape against Assange has been dropped — but he remains concerned he will be arrested and then handed over to the US if the country applies for him to be extradited.

Assange sought refuge and was granted asylum in the embassy in 2012, fearing he would be sent to the US for publishing hacked military emails. He has not left the building, near the luxury department store Harrods in the exclusive London district of Knightsbridge, since then, and his health is said to be rapidly getting worse.

Even if he was convicted of the minor bail charge, it was only punishable by a fine or maximum three months in prison, so is not considered a serious charge by law.

“So is Mr Hunt talking about an extradition request from the US where he would face serious charges?” asked Ms Robinson. “Has he misspoken and disclosed that?”

She told news.com.au that would be a serious matter. Assange’s legal team had sought assurances from the UK there was no extradition request and had been met with a “standard, blanket will not confirm or deny”.

“So if Mr Hunt is talking about serious charges … there are none on the public record, so of course, we are concerned about what that might be from the US.”

Ms Robinson said the UK Government had refused for eight years to give Ecuador an assurance Assange wouldn’t be extradited to the US. That assurance alone could bring an end to the long-running drama, which is taking an increasing toll on him.

“It’s an untenable situation. I’m very concerned about the permanent damage to his health. He is without adequate access to the outdoors and exercise and it has had a serious impact on his health. The UK Government refuses to allow him get medical help and leave (which is) a humanitarian issue.”

Mr Assange’s lawyer Jennifer Robinson: ‘It’s an untenable situation.’ Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been urged to help the Assange case. Picture: Jenny Evans

She told news.com.au the case came down to the US seeking to prosecute a publisher from publishing activities.

Recent indictments in the US issued by Special Counsel Robert Mueller implied Assange and WikiLeaks were a conduit for Russian intelligence in distributing hacked Democratic Party emails in 2016, CNN reported.

Assange has always insisted the emails were not received from the Russians or any “state party”.

When he was campaigning for the presidency, Donald Trump praised WikiLeaks for publishing information from Hillary Clinton’s private email server — but his Attorney-General Jeff Sessions has said arresting Assange was a “priority”.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the Government was offering Assange consular support. “The Australian Government has provided consular support and will continue to do so as is required,” she said.

“We understand there are still matters where Mr Assange is subject to British legal proceedings so therefore that would be a matter of British law enforcement authorities and agencies.”

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