Julian Assange pleads not guilty as he appears at magistrates court
JULIAN Assange has pleaded not guilty to failing to surrender to custody during a an appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
By SIMON OSBORNE
Express.co.uk
Thu, Apr 11, 2019
A packed public gallery and a full press bench watched as he walked into court wearing a black suit and polo shirt. With grey hair tied into a pony tail and long beard, Assange saluted the public gallery before giving a thumbs up. Members of the public were warned they would be in contempt of court if they recorded proceedings. Assange pleaded not guilty to failing to surrender to custody as required for an extradition order to Sweden.
He will not give evidence but his lawyer will argue he had a “reasonable excuse” for not surrendering to custody.
The court also heard the US has requested Assange’s extradition over an allegation that he conspired with intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to disclose documents.
Assange was told he is now accused under section six, not section seven, of the Bail Act and must re-enter his plea.
When asked if he still denied the charge, Assange replied: “I’m a bit curious as to why there’s been this sudden change”.
District Judge Michael Snow explained: “The computer produced the wrong section.”
The Rest…HERE
