Thread by @rebecca_vincent

I’ll shortly be remotely monitoring this morning’s administrative hearing in @wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s case on behalf of @RSF_inter. Assange is expected to appear via video link for the first time since March. #FreeAssange

I’m currently stuck on the line with hold music. The last time this happened, the court failed to ever connect the teleconference line to the entire hearing - barring access to media and NGO observers, apart from the handful who were able to attend in person. Unacceptable.

I would expect the court to make better provisions having held proceedings remotely for over 4 months now. I’m concerned about the implications for September’s full extradition hearing. Assange’s case is overwhelmingly in the public interest & proceedings must be open to scrutiny

I’m still on hold, which means any journalists and NGO observers trying to dial in remotely still don’t have access a full 20 minutes into the hearing. And from @MartySilkHack’s tweets (from the courtroom), I see the problems don’t stop with us. Shambles. https://t.co/Yeevi9IszD

In failing to provide adequate remote access for over 4 months now, the court is paving the way for a chaotic & unsafe situation in September, when Assange’s full extradition hearing resumes. It’s become very clear that only in-person attendance will allow for proper monitoring.

I’m giving up now, having been stuck on hold for 40 minutes. The court is clearly not planning to give access to media and NGO observers today. It looks like the court is also struggling to include Assange via video link in his own proceedings. https://t.co/BbYgfqPWr7