Julian Assange's father criticises 'sordid and hysterical' treatment of Wikileaks founder

28 September 2019, 15:47

By Ewan Quayle

@EQjourno

The father of Julian Assange has accused Belmarsh Prison of poor treatment of his son during his sentence.

The Wikileaks founder is being kept in solitary confinement in the high-security jail, despite being due for release earlier this month His father claims Mr Assange is in poor health.

Commenting on the condition of his son, Mr Shipton said: "I last visited Julian in August and he was a bit shaky, and is suffering from anxiety.

"He has lost a lot of weight. It is very distressing, and the intensity of his treatment has increased over the past year."

The comments came after Mr Assange won the Gavin MacFadyen Award, which will be presented to his father outside the prison on the activist's behalf.

Mr Assange and his family continue to fight his proposed extradition to the United States, and claim the conditions the Wikileaks founder are being kept in are "unlawful".

Mr Assange's will remain in Belmarsh Prison until a hearing for his extradition, which is due in February next year.