Julian Assange news: Where is Julian Assange now? What is he accused of in court today?

Julian Assange was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on April 11 after voiding the terms of his asylum agreement with the Ecuadorian embassy. He was originally allowed asylum by Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa, as he was facing extradition for questioning over charges of sexual assault and rape – which he denies. Assange was arrested for violating his bail agreement on these charges.

Where is Julian Assange right now? 

Today, Julian Assange is appearing at court in London today to be sentenced for breaching bail. 

The WikiLeaks founder was found guilty of breaching the Bail Act at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last month after his arrest outside the Ecuadorian embassy.

The trial – which took place on April 11 – saw District Judge Michael Snow remand Assange in custody to await his sentence. 

He said: “This is a case which merits the maximum sentence, which is 12 months in the Crown Court.”

The WikiLeaks founder was taken into custody by the Metropolitan police shortly after his arrest.

He is currently remanded at prison in HMP Belmarsh. 

The facility has been used in the past to house some of the UK’s most notorious terror suspects. 

Ultra-secure Belmarsh is based in Thamesmead, south-east London, and has been home to both Abu Hamza al-Masri and Anjem Choudary.

The prison has a high-security section in its centre for some inmates, but it is not clear whether Assange is being detained here. 

The public has been given no specifics to the WikiLeaks founder’s activity inside. 

According to those who know the prison, the facility can be “daunting”. 

Andy Keen-Downs, chief executive of charity Pact – which provides family services to prisons – said Belmarsh can be particularly intimidating.

He said: “Like most prisons, conditions in Belmarsh are austere. Conditions are very basic.

“Prison staff work hard to keep prisoners safe, but like most prisons, there are occasions when there could be violence.”

“It could be a very intimidating atmosphere. During the night, the atmosphere could be very daunting with a lot of noise.”

source: express.co.uk