to the United States or the U.S. prison camp at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In 2012, Assange sought refuge inside the
Ecuadorian Embassy, where he was beyond the
reach of U.K. and Swedish authorities.
The relationship between Assange and his hosts
eventually soured, and he was evicted in April
- British police immediately arrested him for
jumping bail in 2012.
Sweden dropped the sex crimes investigations
in November because so much time had
elapsed, but Assange remains in prison as he
awaits a decision on the U.S. extradition request.
An end to the saga could still be years away.
After a week of opening arguments, the
extradition case is due to break until May, when
the two sides will lay out their evidence. The
judge isn’t expected to rule until several months
after that, with the losing side likely to appeal.
Lewis, attorney for the American government,
said it wasn’t the role of the British court to
determine whether Assange was guilty.
“This is an extradition hearing, not a trial,” he
said. “The guilt or innocence of Mr. Assange will
be determined at trial in the United States, not in
this court.”