Assange catches bone with the judge

london - The arrest warrant against Julian Assange is justified and will therefore not be withdrawn. The British Magistrates Court ruled this in a lawsuit filed by the WikiLeaks founder.

According to Assange's lawyers, the arrest warrant had become unnecessary. It was issued in connection with a Swedish rape complaint, but justice in the Scandinavian country has pulled the plug from this case.

However, the Magistrates Court did not participate in this lecture. During the lawsuit on Assanges surrender to Sweden in 2012, he was released on bail. He used this freedom to flee to Ecuador's embassy in London, where he has been hiding ever since. Because he has withdrawn from his bail, the arrest warrant is still useful, according to the judge. Someone who takes his legs during his bail can get a maximum of one year in prison in Britain.

As a result of the judgment, Assange will presumably extend his stay in the Ecuadorian embassy. Although the US has not asked for its extradition, chances are that the Americans will do this as soon as it leaves the embassy. The US Secretary of Justice Sessions has indicated that they want Assange to go out because of the leakage of American state secrets.

Assange himself thinks that he is locked up in the embassy.