US returns second superseding indictment in Assange case

The US Department of Justice last week returned a second superseding indictment against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The indictment dated 24 June 2020 does not contain any additional charges to the 18-count superseding indictment returned last year. It does, however, widen the scope of the alleged conspiracy to include accusations that Mr Assange recruited hackers associated with the hacking group Anonymous.

Mr Assange remains in custody in London’s Belmarsh prison while fighting an extradition request form the US. A lawyer for Mr Assange, appearing at a brief case management hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, said that neither Mr Assange nor his legal team had had official sight of the indictment and that he was surprised by the timing of this development