Assange being extradited

[Aerlik]

Sweden was known for its steadfast neutrality.  However a right-wing government came to power a few years ago and the country has lost that stand. (acc. to my Swedish mates here in Oz).

It is being suggested that Assange is being sidetracked so-to-speak to Sweden to give the USA time to conjour some new legislation under which it will seek extradition from Sweden.  that's what I've read...open to alternatives.

C'mon TO, you're a bit late in getting your defence of the Step-Motherland in

[deiseach]

Sweden was known for its steadfast neutrality.  However a right-wing government came to power a few years ago and the country has lost that stand. (acc. to my Swedish mates here in Oz).

So what if the goverment is right-wing? The rule of law still applies in Sweden and the case will be decided on its merits. If you have any evidence that the legal system has been corrupted in Sweden in the manner of (say) Venezuela with the judiciary stuffed with government yes-men then I'm all ears

[David McKeown]

Sweden was known for its steadfast neutrality.  However a right-wing government came to power a few years ago and the country has lost that stand. (acc. to my Swedish mates here in Oz).

It is being suggested that Assange is being sidetracked so-to-speak to Sweden to give the USA time to conjour some new legislation under which it will seek extradition from Sweden.  that's what I've read...open to alternatives.

C'mon TO, you're a bit late in getting your defence of the Step-Motherland in

As I say I dont think he can be directly extradited from Sweden he will have to go through the UK again first.  As a result I dont see the point in the US trying to force him to Sweden

[Hardy]

Something I don't understand - how can the US charge a foreign national with treason? I thought treason was treachery against ones state. In what way does a Swedish or Australian citizen (I'm not sure which Assange is) have a duty to the USA or a responsibility not to divulge its state secrets? I can understand the concept of treason as a breach of the contract between a citizen and his state - the state provides protection for the citizen. In return, the citizen undertakes a duty to his fellow citizens that includes an undertaking not to divulge state secrets to foreigners. I cannot see how it would be tenable for Sweden to extradite a citizen (if that's what Assange is) to a foreign state on a charge of treason against that state that is not his own.

[Main Street]

You are assuming the charge would be treason.
The US could make a charge of espionage stick, with a bit of contrivance.
The US only need to bring a charge and he would be extradited to face that charge. They don't have to prove that charge before extradition.
Just as the Swedish prosecutor can break all known procedures, good practice and reinterpret the law in order to get Assange to Sweden.

There will be a shítstorm of media focus on this in Sweden if Assange's appeal fails.

[Hardy]

You are assuming the charge would be treason.

That's true. The late night post was triggered by listening to some pundit on TV (can't remember who) talking about a potential charge of treason against Assange.

[thejuice]

Julian Assange will get his own TV show now on RT. Will be interesting. I have watched RT, it's quite good and brings a much more in depth look in most cases than BBC or any of the others. However, I don't know much about about its back story but some claim its "news" bought and paid for by Mr. Putin.

[Never beat the deeler]

[Declan]

[Hardy]

Excellent!