Chinese artist Ai Weiwei holds silent protest against Julian Assange’s extradition hearing

Contemporary artist Ai Weiwei held a silent protest outside Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court), London, to demonstrate his support for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The WikiLeaks founder’s extradition to the US has kept foot in the last week.

Even after a psychiatrist’s testimony about the auditory hallucinations and suicidal tendencies Julian Assange is a victim to, he may have to leave for the US after the hearing gets underway in London.

Weiwei was exiled from China in 2015 and lived in Germany for so many years as a prey for the Chinese wrath. He joined Assange’s father John Shipton outside the court in the morning, calling Assange’s prosecution as unbelievable.

“Let him to be a free man. He truly represents the very core value of why we are fighting, the freedom of the press,” Ai said.

He stood outside the Old Bailey court in the British capital, wearing a pink T-shirt featuring him next to Assange, both holding up a middle finger with a ‘Free Assange’ message.

Julian is facing 18 charges in the US relating to the 2010 release by WikiLeaks of 500,000 secret files detailing aspects of military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Each step is more and more difficult for him. It’s unbelievable. He is prepared to fight but alas it’s not fair conditions, this is not fair to him. They tried to smash him and his name. As an artist, if I cannot use my art which is very limited then I rather just be silent,” Ai said.

Judge Vanessa Baraitser has agreed to another delay in the 18-month-long proceedings and will make her ruling after the US Presidential election, most likely in the new year.