TIL: Some people still defend Assange. What the hell is wrong with people?

Doesn’t that depend on what it is they defend him against? I thoroughly dislike him as a human being and as a political actor, yet I wouldn’t want him extradited to the US

He’s wanted for rape in Sweden and there’s currently no extradition request from the US.

He's not wanted for rape; Sweden dropped the case over a year ago and there is no longer an international warrant for his arrest.

Sweden dropped the case since it could not serve he formal notification that he was a suspect and Ecuador would not render assistance. Quote from the investigator: “If he, at a later date, makes himself available, I will be able to decide to resume the investigation immediately.”

So yes, technically he’s currently not wanted for rape in Sweden, but at least one of the victims stated that they want prosecution to continue.

Be that as it may, even if he is a rapist or just a general asshole, he still shouldn’t be tried in the US for doing journalist work, however badly. Bogus treason charges are the only thing I’d find defending him against justified.

There’s currently no outstanding extradition request from the US. Neither for treason nor for anything else. Any such requests would have to go through the UK legal system. There can’t be any US treason charges leveled against Assange either, he’s not American.

The relevant law specifically requires “allegiance to the United States.” Assange is an Australian Citizen and as sich owes no allegiance to the US. There’s really nothing to defend him against.