Julian Assange enters final stage of extradition battle

[MADem]

1. This is one of those articles that raises more questions after reading it.

In Britain, as in the United States, only judges can normally approve arrest warrants. In Assange's case, the warrant was issued by Sweden's public prosecutor. Assange's lawyers argue that the Swedish system is unfair because it puts the power to issue arrest warrants in the hands of the same people who are prosecuting him.

Seven judges rather than the usual five will hear the case "given the great public importance of the issues raised", the court said. Their decision is not expected for several weeks.

Legal observers have suggested Assange faces an uphill struggle. Karen Todner, an extradition specialist at Kaim Todner Solicitors, said Assange's lawyers were unlikely to overcome the benefit of the doubt usually afforded to other European countries' judicial systems.

British judges "absolutely defer" to their European counterparts' justice systems, she said, adding that she would be "very surprised" if Assange's team won the day.

I think, if the Brits are indeed delivering a defendant into an "unfair system," based on the demands/say-so of a prosecutor who is serving as both cop and judge, they should maybe do a little less deferring and a little more invoking of sovereignty, to protect their interests and ensure their charges are given a fair shake. That Swedish system, given the little we know about it, sounds like it could be easily gamed--all you'd have to do is buy off ONE guy and you're home free.

Assange walked into this mess on his own, though. He should have figured that he'd be targeted, even if he is innocent of the charges, and behaved a bit more circumspectly.