Thread by @StefSimanowitz

For the third day in a row, @amnesty & 40 other legal observers, have been denied access to the technology that would allow them to observe the extradition hearing of @wikileaks founder #JulianAssange.

This was the letter we received yesterday.
#Assange

https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1303288781714468865

In her letter, the judge expresses her "regret" at her decision to deny remote access to the proceedings to @amnesty but offers no reason for her decision

Instead, she sets out rules to ensure the court is #COVID19 safe

But remote access is FAR safer than practices I witnessed.

Telling legal observers - some of whom are from the European Parliament - that they have to compete with the public for one of 8 gallery seats results in a scrum of people at the doorway to the court.

There was no distancing & even court officials & police weren't wearing masks.

Today, two activists joined the queue for the public gallery in the early hours of the morning in order to give their spaces to @RSF_en observers.

Despite this, the court has so far refused them entry as they're awaiting some "VIPs” who haven't turned up.

https://twitter.com/rebecca_vincent/status/1303624029266481152

End of Day 3. “We were able to monitor about 45 minutes of Prof Paul Rogers’ testimony, in which he spoke of his belief that the US case against #Assange is politically motivated.” @rebecca_vincent @RSF_inter. #JulianAssange #AssangeCase #AssangeHearing

“Sitting 20 feet away from #JulianAssange", I was struck by how much of a shadow of his former self he had become."

For the fourth consecutive day, @amnesty & other fair trial monitors, have been refused access to the proceedings in the #Assange hearing. amnesty.org/en/latest/news…

I met #JulianAssange briefly when he spoke at the Occupy London camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral in 2011

It was an extraordinary time

Occupy Wall St was spreading across the US & the Arab Spring was sweeping N. Africa / Middle East

It was a time when anything seemed possible.

Outside the Old Bailey, #Assange's hearing has been like a carnival. Inside the courtroom, it's been a circus!

Hearing adjourned til Monday due to a #COVID19 scare with husband of one of the US lawyers coming down with Covid-like symptoms.
#JulianAssange
theguardian.com/media/2020/sep…

CARNIVAL: “We have a nice time here. But remember: carnivals come cheap. What matters is the day after.” Slavo Žižek

COURT: “Wherever he went, he’d bring the circus with him. But now - stood before the hanging judge - Moody longed for fewer clowns: for solemnity.“ Emerson Warner

The US Dept of Justice is reportedly obstructing a Spanish High Court request for assistance in its investigation into whether the Spanish company, UC Global & its owner, that spied on #JulianAssange, collaborated with the CIA. (@elpaisinenglish) #Assange elpais.com/internacional/…

Campaigns Director for @RSF_inter, @rebecca_vincent, gives an overview of proceedings so far at #Assange’s extradition hearing. Severe restrictions imposed on trial observers meant RSF is the only NGO that gained access to @wikileaks publisher’s hearing.

We’ve just had news that the US junior counsel’s #COVID19 test has come back negative and #Assange’s extradition hearing will therefore continue on Monday.

The hearing was halted on Thursday due to a #COVID scare. #JulianAssange #Assangecase #DontExtraditeAssange #BREAKING