Julian Assange ‘too ill’ to attend case management hearing

Lawyers for Julian Assange stated that ill-health was the reason for their client’s failure to attend the latest case management hearing in the ongoing extradition proceedings against him. Mr Assange’s health, according to his spokesperson, has declined in recent weeks and he has lost weight. He is reported to have been transferred to the medical ward in Belmarsh prison.

Hearings in Mr Assange’s extradition case were set to resume in May 2020 but were postponed until 7 September 2020, due to the restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic and the desire for parties to attend in person. Senior District Judge Arbuthnot, the Chief Magistrate, set the next case-management hearing for 12 June 2020, and suggested that this may take place in Belmarsh for reasons of convenience.