Amy Goodman talks by phone with Jennifer Robinson, lawyer for Julian Assange. Sweden has not charged Assange with a crime.
JENNIFER ROBINSON: There were two grounds that were put forward by the prosecutors for remanding him in custody. The first was his flight risk. The second was threats to his own safety, that it would be in his interest to remain in prison. The judge threw that second submission out, which is actually what happened. He said that it was for the defendant to determine—that is, Mr. Assange to determine. He’s the best person to determine risk to his safety. And indeed, as we submitted on his behalf, he may suffer even greater risk in prison. So, that wasn’t a ground that was found to be persuasive in the end, and there are ways and means that he could be protected outside. And indeed, I think it’s quite patronizing for the authorities to suggest that he needs to be kept in prison for his own safety.
Assange and others believe his detention is a ploy to develop more serious charges brought by the US
