Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Treatment of Julian Assange ‘inhuman and cruel’, wife says

Stella Assange said her husband’s physical condition is deteriorating by the day.

Alan Jones
Wednesday 26 April 2023 13:11 BST
Stella Assange (Ashlee Ruggels/PA)
Stella Assange (Ashlee Ruggels/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The treatment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been described by his wife as “inhuman and cruel” as he continues to be held in prison.

Stella Assange said his physical condition is deteriorating by the day as he spends most of the time in a cell in Belmarsh prison in London.

He was taken to the prison just over four years ago after being dragged out of the Ecuadorian embassy.

Assange is fighting extradition to the United States where he faces a lengthy prison sentence over documents published by WikiLeaks.

His wife told an online meeting organised by the National Union of Journalists that Assange’s period of detention is now one of the longest at Belmarsh.

“He has seen criminals convicted for armed crimes sentenced to eight years but only served half of that,” she said.

“So he has been in prison longer than those convicted of armed crimes.

“He is being treated in an inhuman and cruel manner.”

Stella Assange said there was growing support for releasing her husband across the world, especially because of the impact of his case for press freedom.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in