TRANSCRIPT
In a packed conference room in central London, Stella Assange enters to the sound of camera shutters.
Facing the world’s press ahead of what could be her husband’s final appeal against extradition, she says it’s now a matter of life and death.
"Julian will be put in a hole if he is extradited. There is no doubt about that. He will be put in a hole so far and deep in the ground that I don't think I'll ever see him again.”
Later, SBS News meets her at London’s Frontline Club, a hangout for journalists and war correspondents.
Julian Assange spent months living here, and from one room, unveiled the secret U-S government documents published by Wikileaks that led to the charges he now faces.
The 52 year old has been held in Belmarsh Prison for almost five years as he fights extradition, with his wife leading the campaign on the outside.
“I’m okay you know. I know what I want, I want Julian free, for me and for our children and for Julian. It’s nothing compared to what Julian is going through.”
While his supporters say he’s being punished for exposing American wrongdoing, U-S prosecutors allege Mr Assange put the lives of sources at risk.
He faces a maximum 175 years in prison if convicted, although would likely serve considerably less.
The Australian is seeking to appeal his extradition at London’s High Court.
If the two judges who hear the case reject his application, he’ll have exhausted his legal options in Britain.
“I don’t have hope this will go our way, and even if it were to go our way - meaning he’d have leave to appeal and have his arguments heard in full - then it would mean Julian continues in prison.”
If Julian Assange loses next week, then it’s almost certain an appeal will be lodged with the European Court of Human Rights to prevent his extradition to the United States.
But there’s real concern among Mr Assange’s team that the British Government could try to put him on a plane before that can happen.
Kristin Hraffnson is the current Editor of Wikileaks.
“There are examples where people have been brought from the courthouse… straight to the airport to be flown out on a rendition plane…s o we prepare for the worst case scenario.”
At this point, it will likely take a political solution for Mr Assange to walk free, rather than a legal one.
But Stella Assange says it’s unclear if the Wikileaks founder would accept a plea deal, which would require an admission of guilt in exchange for freedom - if one was offered by the United States.
“We know the plea deal system in the United States is the preferred system by prosecutors and that’s how they secure their convictions. Of course, Julian has done nothing wrong. It’s not just about Julian. Imagine if there were to be such a deal, (image) the implications for the rest of the press.”
Stella Assange believes there’s now widespread public and political support for her husband’s case to be resolved, noting Australia’s successful motion in parliament calling for him to be returned home.
“Of course politicians are responding to the public pressure, and that’s optimistic because there are countries where public pressure doesn’t matter.”
Mr Assange’s two-day hearing begins Tuesday, February 20, but a decision may not be handed down for months.
