Thread by @kgosztola

The fourth day of proceedings in the trial portion of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition hearing will begin shortly. I'll have live updates at this thread.

Yesterday, the legal team called Paul Rogers, a peace studies professor at Bradford University, to testify on how prosecution has targeted Assange for his political opinions.

One political opinion highlighted:

"...if wars can be started by lies, peace can be started by truth."

Also, on Day 3, defense witness Trevor Timm called attention to what New York Times Washington bureau chief Max Frankel declared about the role of "secrets" in his affidavit to federal court in Pentagon Papers case. #Assange

Timm emphasized section on Good Reporters, who Frankel referred to in defending publication of Pentagon Papers. And I think it is fair to say if Assange had been a Good Reporter like most US journalists, especially in Washington, there would be no #AssangeCase

There's a report circulating - "husband of one of the US lawyers has come down with Covid-like symptoms" - and it suggests proceedings may not be in session today. But a court representative has communicated no such info to press. #Assange

Appears to be confirmed - COVID-19 has brought the trial portion of Assange's extradition hearing to temporary halt

https://twitter.com/Bridges4Media/status/1303985172774150144

For the first time in these proceedings, I see defense attorney Mark Summers wearing a mask. #Assange

I did not see any mask-wearing by prosecutors or defense attorneys inside the courtroom during the first three days — particularly while court was in session #Assange

This is why the "Cloud Video Platform" for remote access is so crucial to #AssangeCase in time of COVID. It remains appalling that 40 observers, many who had attended proceedings in February, had their remote access revoked by the judge. #Assange

It was never safe for press to attend in person. It isn't safe for 40 observers to go to the Old Bailey Courthouse. And let's continue this to Julian Assange, who was denied bail during a global pandemic. He should be in home confinement and not in Belmarsh prison.

Overheard in court: Judge Baraitser is consulting the Recorder of London, senior circuit judge of Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) on what to do next. #Assange

There are no members from the US prosecution team, at least that I can see, in the courtroom. Only Assange's legal team. #AssangeCase

We now have James Lewis, lead prosecutor, joining court remotely #Assange

James Lewis left his computer charger in the courtroom. He says it is about 2 meters from Edward Fitzgerald, and he's afraid it will die. "I'm just saying about my charger. It's in court and I'm going to run out of battery." He's told we're waiting for Assange

"I'm in my flat," Lewis adds, in London. He couldn't get home last night.

By the way, someone told Lewis press is on same video stream. He kept jabbering all the same. #Assange

Looking forward to the courtroom sketch of Assange in a glass box with only judge in the room as we all proceed virtually. That'll be quite appropriate image for this case. #COVID19 #AssangeCase

Proecutor Joel Smith is trying to get Judge Baraitser's attention and inform her that we cannot hear anything in court. And Lewis says his screen for the court is frozen. He can neither see nor hear the court. The court can hear Smith. #Assange

Everyone can hear everybody except James Lewis, who is on his phone. Picture is completely frozen. Baraitser will continue because he can *hear* court #Assange

Fitzgerald brought up risk to courthouse staff, and potentially the judge. He mentioned risk to Assange, who is vulnerable. Added don't know the extent of virus in the courthouse.

Lewis agreed with Fitzgerald. "Not easy to cross examine another person over video link," he said. #Assange

Baraitser then reiterated, for those in video link who didn't hear, that one of barristers on prosecution team may have been exposed to COVID-19. Testing will occur today. Results expected on Friday. #Assange

Baraitser was prepared to have proceedings on what would've been Day 5, but hearing objections, she acceded to the request to postpone until 14 September. #Assange

That's it for today. There is nothing more to add, really. No video report. And I don't know if this is worth writing up, but as we find out confirmed details on whether there is an Old Bailey COVID-19 outbreak or not, I'll share #Assange

Newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom jumped 64 percent on September 7, the day the trial portion of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition hearing started.

Four days later, proceedings were halted by COVID-19 dissenter.substack.com/p/assange-extr…