#AssangeCase bail hearing Thread: Ed Fitzgerald is in cour…

Judge comes into court. #JulianAssange walks in and identifies himself to court.
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The Court will hear arguments against bail first.
Clair Dobbin: The high court can overturn the conviction, the court must be careful not to render the result academic.
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Dobbin: In Kromberg's affidavit referring to #Assange helping @snowden flee justice. #Assange openly assisted @Snowden evaded arrest. Mr. #Assange said that he and @wikileaks orchestrated the escape and avoiding arrest.
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Dobbin: Reads an interview from Terminal F Snowden documentary.
This shows that Mr. Assange has the resources and abilities to evade justice and also that Mexico has announced that they will grant #Assange asylum, so he could hide in their embassy or arrange a flight to escape.

Dobbin: #Assange has a clear history of evading extradition to the United States, the court cannot in good judgment grant bail.

Dobbin: Mr. #Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in the past even though he had sureties.
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Dobbin: Assange has the resources and intent to flee the country, references Mexican president offering political asylum to Assange upon denial of his extradition, says there are countries "sympathetic to Mr Assange."

Dobbin: Mr #Assange regards himself as above the law, and he will stop at nothing to avoid facing the law.
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Dobbin: Suggests that if #Assange is willing to kill himself, he is more likely to escape. That is way too low!!!!!
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Dobbin: Argues that it is impossible to commit suicide in the US prison system.... yeah right!!! It never happens 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Baraitser interrupts Dobbins in the middle of going into detail if #Assange will be able to commit suicide.
Dobbin: We contend that Mr. #Assange's mental health was not as severe as painted by the defence doctors.
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Dobbin debates that #Assange having a family will keep him from absconding, and says that the only risk is that Julian is a flight risk.
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Fitzgerald: #Assange has been detained for 15 months solely for the extradition request. Thought this time, the request remains the basis for his detention. Now you have made a ruling of discharging #Assange. The natural consequence is that he regains his liberty.

Fitzgerald: There is some doubt that the prosecution will actually pursue an appeal. Just today the prosecutor in Virginia left his position and said that it is uncertain that the Biden admin will pursue the extradition. #AssangeCase

Fitzgerald: The fact that the decision made of discharging #Assange one assumes that he would regain his liberty at the very least with conditions.
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Fitzgerald: The court ruling ends every reason Mr. #Assange may have to abscond because he has the protection of the country, and he would want to finish the process until the end.
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Fitzgerald noting press reports that the outgoing US prosecutor isn't even sure if the US will continue to prosecute Assange following the judge's ruling. (https://t.co/jZB8YJOqGp)
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Fitzgerald notes that the judge's ruling recognized the importance, especially considering his psychiatric conditions, of Assange being able to see his family. Discharging him would "anchor him" to a home and finally allow him physical contact with his own family. #AssangeCase

It would seem Fitzgerald is also saying the extradition decision overtakes COVID as a reason why Assange should receive bail immediately.
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Fitzgerald: Belmarsh has admitted to having 60 people with COVID, and up to 90 people have tested positive in #Assange's block.
Dobbin: Disputes the information with an email from Belmarsh saying they only have 3 positive COVID prisoners.
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Baraitser: I will take the most up to date information.
Fitzgerald: Well it is undeniable that there was an increase in cases recently and this should be taken into account and revised closely if you will take it into your decision.
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Fitzgerald: The main thrust of our submission is that the court ruling is detailed, it's evidence based, and it comes from your decision and evaluation of the case.
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Fitzgerald: There is no significant incentive to abscond and every reason to continue in this country. This would be his first time that he would have to live with his family and children.
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Fitzgerald: He's had a ruling of discharge and every incentive to see this through. And two that he would also have a chance to live with his family. His primary surety, who is providing a home to him, says that she is totally sure that this is a completely different situation.

Fitzgerald: We also say that there can be a GPS monitor tag. You can also go through the sureties which is a significant number of people.
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Fitzgerald: Considering human rights, we say that the court could also consider outside factors from the decision including #Assange's human rights.

Fitzgerald: Mexico only offered asylum once these proceedings are finished. If the UK finally decides not to extradite, the US will still want him on any other jurisdiction, that is only when the Mexican Asylum would take place.
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The Court has recess for the defence to get instructions.

Fitzgerald: It's very clear that he has lived the situation of being in an Embassy for years. This is not something that he will repeat. Also, Mexico stated that it would work with the UK government to offer Asylum, not that they open their doors to him right now.
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Fitzgerald: Even if he lost, he still has the protection of the High Court, and then the Supreme Court and the ECRH.
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Fitzgerald: We have a letter from Belmarsh from the 1st of January stating that social visits will remain closed. So he will remain in solitary, at risk of Covid and one of his friends, Mr. Santos recently committed suicide in Belmarsh waiting to be deported.

Fitzgerald: Apart from that he has the benefit of the court's discharge. I ask for these reasons to be granted bail on conditions.
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Baraitser: Mr. Assange became a fugitive to this court in 2012, with similar conditions as those asked for today. He did this to avoid extradition to the US. The US has already logged their appeal, the outcome of this appeal was not yet won.

Baraitser: Mr. #Assange still has a reason to abscond. The stringent conditions placed upon him previously were not enough to evade justice. He will remain in custody.
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