Today in court, Julian Assange struggled to say his own name and date of birth as he appeared in the dock. He claimed to have not understood what happened in the case management hearing, and was holding back tears as he said: "I can't think properly".
His legal team asked for a delay in the extradition hearing, scheduled for February next year, to gather evidence. They argue the case is politically motived, driven by the @realDonaldTrump administration to "signal to journalists the consequences of publishing information"
@realDonaldTrump Assange's lawyer Mark Summers QC said the case in Spain of alleged agents of the US government accused of spying on Assange and his lawyers at the Ecuadorian embassy will form part of their case. "It speaks to the nature of trial Mr Assange faces in due course".
@realDonaldTrump District Judge Vanessa Baraitser refused to delay the case and set down orders for service of evidence and arguments. The full hearing is due to be heard from February 24 next year, at Belmarsh magistrates court. The next case management hearing is on December 19.
