Thread by @rebecca_vincent

Good morning. I’ll have updates on Julian Assange’s bail hearing on this thread today. The hearing takes place at 10 am GMT at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. @RSF_inter calls again for Assange’s immediate release.

#FreeAssange 1/

I’m on my way to court. Escaped the hellish queue for the public gallery today only because Assange’s family have been kind enough to put me on their list - so unless the court pulls something funny, I should get in without problems today. 2/

The thought of walking into court at a reasonable time and taking a seat like a normal person today seems like a luxury. We’ve been treated so terribly in monitoring hearings in this case since last February. Again, this is not how we’re accustomed to doing our jobs, anywhere. 3/

Not having to queue outside for hours also creates less chance of the police harassing and pressuring us, as they did on Monday, when we were repeatedly threatened with arrest. Now that the UK has entered a national lockdown, even stricter measures will be in place. 4/

This morning, Judge Baraitser will decide whether to release Assange on bail, or whether to keep him detained in Belmarsh prison until the appeals process is exhausted. Remember, she has previously denied him bail twice. 5/

In our view, it would be extremely harsh to keep Assange detained when the judge has explicitly outlined his serious mental health issues, which would be exacerbated with prolonged detention. If this is grounds to deny extradition, it’s also grounds for immediate release. 6/

The current risk to Assange’s physical health is also alarming, given the high rate of Covid infections on his prison block of Belmarsh prison. He suffers from respiratory issues which leave him at higher medical risk. He must be released. 7/

This is also a matter of principle. Enough is enough. After his 10-year ordeal, Julian Assange should not be deprived of his liberty for another day. No one should have to experience what he has for publishing information in the public interest. 8/

I’ll keep you updated to the extent possible. Unlike the Old Bailey, we can keep our devices at Westminster Magistrates’ Court - but I won’t be able to use them in the public gallery during the hearing itself (unlike journalists who are covering it). 9/

In the meantime, here’s @RSF_inter’s statement on Monday’s ruling. Although the decision not to extradite Assange is a relief, the substance of the decision is of serious concern for journalism and press freedom. rsf.org/en/reports/uk-… 10/

Still having trouble at the court entrance. I’m not sure I will be allowed in, even on Assange’s family list. 11/

I have not been allowed in, nor have two of Assange’s actual relatives. Once again, nothing is normal in this case. Proceedings have started, so follow journalists who have access to the Cloud Video Platform. I’ll do a live video in a second. 12/

Live from outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court as we await a decision. 13/

https://twitter.com/rebecca_vincent/status/1346769678228709376

I got in for the last 10 minutes of the hearing as someone stepped out and gave me their place (a student who had queued since 3 am - THANK YOU 🙏) 14/

The judge ruled that Assange must remain in custody at Belmarsh prison - in our view an unnecessarily cruel decision. Assange should not have to spend another moment unjustly deprived of his liberty. 15/

The judge stated that Assange has incentive to abscond and was unlikely to present himself for justice if released on bail. She also stated that his mental health is being managed in Belmarsh, and that the prison has the Covid situation under control. 16/

That was the first time I’ve had direct sight of Assange since February (as at the Old Bailey I could only access the overflow court to watch a live stream). He looked better than he did at Woolwich, was alert and following proceedings. 17/

I didn’t think I was still capable of disappointment in this case, but apparently I still am. This court cannot undo the past 10 years of hell Assange had endured, but the judge could have made it right going forward. She failed - again, unnecessarily cruelly. 18/

I understand that police behaved far more aggressively after I got into court. We got moved along (as you saw in my earlier video), but they otherwise left us alone today - I think only because I was constantly speaking to media so they could see I was there professionally. 19/

Trying to get somewhere I can get @RSF_inter’s statement out, which is extremely difficult in lockdown London (it’s even illegal to stay still outside). Back soon. 20/

Oh here’s another live video I did commenting on the decision. 20/

https://twitter.com/rebecca_vincent/status/1346795863423774721

This morning some journalists I had never seen before were pushing through the queue and complaining that they had been there since 8 am and might not get in. What I wanted to say: welcome to our hell, and 8 am is a luxury. 21/

Don’t get me wrong, I am really pleased the international media is now out in full force on Assange’s case, but my god, it would have made a difference if we had seen anything like this much earlier on. 22/

I despair at the thought of how much time & energy we lost trying to mobilise those who should have been on side in the first place: the media, free expression & human rights communities. Unity earlier on would have allowed for much greater pressure on the states responsible. 23/

Also, I appreciate all of the private messages of support, but what I really could have used from fellow NGOs was more manpower in monitoring these proceedings. RSF shouldn’t have been fighting for access alone. You say resources, I say: we have a team of two in London. 24/

As things stand, I’m utterly exhausted. Not just from this week, but cumulatively, from all of it. But I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished - and we’re far from done. We need to get him out. We need this case closed. And we need to make sure this can’t happen ever again. 25/

Here’s @RSF_inter’s statement on today’s unnecessarily cruel and disproportionately punitive decision. 26/

https://twitter.com/RSF_inter/status/1346889100419354625

Closing out this thread for today, but will keep tweeting separately. Thank you for following this week, and for the many kind words of support! /27