Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

Assange hasn't been free for the last 7 years already.

That was his fault.

Clearly, the man is in fear because he has broken the law. Now, it's not like the yanks want to hurt him or anything. But there are 18 outstanding charges and he needs to face the law now.

Australia will oppose the Death Penalty which is still on America's statutes for cases of high level espionage like his. So the Americans will not be able to execute him because Australia will not hand him over and neither would the Brits or Swedes if his life is in danger.

[Kikapu]

There's been only seldom executions taken place at the Federal level in the USA and even most states are repealing executions. I agree that Assange committed crimes that goes way beyond 1st amendment journalism in freedom of speech. He will not face execution as you have pointed out, Paphitis, but 30 years in jail will almost equate to death penalty for Assange.

[Robin Hood]

There's been only seldom executions taken place at the Federal level in the USA and even most states are repealing executions. I agree that Assange committed crimes that goes way beyond 1st amendment journalism in freedom of speech. He will not face execution as you have pointed out, Paphitis, but 30 years in jail will almost equate to death penalty for Assange.

Just a question ...... can he not be tries for his alleged crimes in the ICC or some other independent Court of Justice? A US Court could hardly be considered impartial, nor likely to be free of political interference.

[Kikapu]

I don't know the answer to your question, RH, but generally speaking, jurisdiction where alleged crime takes place would also hear the case. If Assange is found guilty at his first court appearance, he would have 2-3 further appeals processes all the way to the Supreme court.

[Paphitis]

There's been only seldom executions taken place at the Federal level in the USA and even most states are repealing executions. I agree that Assange committed crimes that goes way beyond 1st amendment journalism in freedom of speech. He will not face execution as you have pointed out, Paphitis, but 30 years in jail will almost equate to death penalty for Assange.

I never would have thought he would face Capital punishment.

If he did, it would be a red line too far for Australia and it would be an obstacle to US and Australian relations.

Australia opposes this form of punishment in all its forms. Even with regard to the USA which is Australia’s best ally.

[Paphitis]

I don't know the answer to your question, RH, but generally speaking, jurisdiction where alleged crime takes place would also hear the case. If Assange is found guilty at his first court appearance, he would have 2-3 further appeals processes all the way to the Supreme court.

Assange is on very thin ice Kikapu and thank you for agreeing that he is no journalist.

People need to be reminded that the allies were at war and his actions also amount to treason with regard to his actions as an Australian citizen which jeopardised the Australian Government and its military. Australia has issued no charge against him because they don’t need to. The US Government was hacked by Manning and Assange revealed sensitive material owned by the US Government and which also concern other allies as well.

This isn’t first amendment free speech. There is free speech in the US but not with regard to sensitive material belonging to the US Government which compromises National Security.

The ICC does not have jurisdiction here. Assange has broken US Law and published US owned material so it makes sense that he face US Law.

That will probably be after he pays his debt to the UK and maybe face Swedish Law with regard to rape allegations.

Let’s say the US were to drop the charges, then it is likely Australia will charge Assange for treason and espionage offences so it isn’t just the US that is after him. He is not exactly Australia’s favourite son. Quite the opposite I think Australia is very willing to hand him over to US Law Enforcement because he did collude with Russia and he also published sensitive material against the national interests of Australia and he also interferes with US Federal elections and attempted to do the same with Australia.

He also, for those who do not know, hacked into the Cyprus Secret Service. Go to Wikileaks and see for yourself. Every KYP email is on Wikileaks. Also the real identities of all Cypriot Agents. If you want to know who works for KYP, just go to Wikileaks. He is a criminal at the very least.

[Kikapu]

Edward Snowden and Assange may well share a cell one day as they both are charged with espionage by leaking sensitive US government information. Freedom of information has limits if the stolen and leaked information puts the nation’s and it’s citizen in danger.

I expect the US to get Assange from the UK before Sweden can on the rape charges, the same rape charges Sweden dropped while Assange was holed up in Ecuadorian embassy in London. However, since the US never dropped their initial charges against Assange, the US will get the first dibs in extradition of Assange.

[Paphitis]

Edward Snowden and Assange may well share a cell one day as they both are charged with espionage by leaking sensitive US government information. Freedom of information has limits if the stolen and leaked information puts the nation’s and it’s citizen in danger.

I expect the US to get Assange from the UK before Sweden can on the rape charges, the same rape charges Sweden dropped while Assange was holed up in Ecuadorian embassy in London. However, since the US never dropped their initial charges against Assange, the US will get the first dibs in extradition of Assange.

Snowden has been pardoned though and is due for release. they only reason why Chelsea is still held in prison is because she is a witness to the Assange case.

It's actually Assange that is delaying her release.

The US should get first dibs because those charges are a lot more serious.

[Kikapu]

I thought Snowden was still in Russia.

[Paphitis]

I thought Snowden was still in Russia.

Yeh you're right. He is in Russia.

For some reason I got him mixed up with Chelsea Manning.

Yeh, Snowden is in Russia which of course confirms the fact that they all colluded with the Russians.

I hope Snowden likes living in Russia because he will never be able to leave.

In the end, Assange needs to be handed over to the Americans.

I don't like the chances of the Americans getting their hands on Snowden.