Julian Assange’s lawyers have complained prison officers stopped them spending adequate time with their client as the Wikileaks founder appeared in court ahead of his extradition hearing. Mr Assange saluted supporters in a packed public gallery at Westminster Magistrates Court for a 12-minute hearing – speaking only to confirm his name and to briefly state he did not understand an element of the proceedings. The hearing was adjourned for the remainder of the day after lawyer Gareth Peirce said she had been unable to spend sufficient time with her client and go through his evidence during a visit to HMP Belmarsh. The 48-year-old is being held at the high-security prison as he awaits the outcome of an extradition request from the US, where he faces 18 charges brought forward by the Donald Trump’s justice department.
— source independent.co.uk | Jan 14, 2020