Julian Assange highly susceptible to Coronavirus as Belmarsh Prison records first death

Coronavirus threat looms over WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, as Belmarsh Prison recorded its first COVID-19 death. With multiple confirmed cases of Coronavirus, first death was recorded on April 7 in prison where whistleblower Julian Assange is being held. 

Posing a significant threat to Julian Assange's life, concern of prisons being breeding grounds for Coronavirus spread repeatedly emerged. Calling a prison environment a "petri dish," WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson told RT that number of cases is 'higher than reported.'

editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks informed that Assange had an underlying lung condition, making journalist more vulnerable to virus. She added that he is in 'very bad shape.' Assange on March 26 failed in his bid to be bailed after he argued that he was at risk of catching coronavirus in Belmarsh prison that houses almost 800 inmates, as per international media reports.  

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WikiLeaks founder is currently under a legal battle and fighting an extradition request by United States to stand trial re on espion charges. WikiLeaks on March 24 released a statement saying, "Julian Assange falls into a category of persons who should be released to mitigate impact of COVID-19."

European country on April 7 stated that UK has t seen an acceleration in Coronavirus cases. However, it was mentioned that re has been a fairly steady increase in number of positive cases. COVID-19 positive UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recently moved to intensive care unit after his condition reportedly worsened. 

Prisoner release in UK 

British government anunced on April 4, that as many as 4000 prisoners in England and Wales will be temporarily released to contain spread of Coronavirus. UK confirmed 55,242 positive cases and 6,159 Coronavirus-related deaths as of Wednesday on. Boris Johnson-led government said that low-risk offenders will be temporarily released with an electronic tag on m.  WikiLeaks publisher faces charges under US Espion Act for 2010 release of a trove of secret files detailing aspects of US military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as a single computer hacking charge. A ruling against Assange could see him jailed for 175 years.

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