The hearing for supporters of Julian Assange, who are fighting to keep the bail money they posted for the Wikileaks founder has been adjourned.
Some of Assange's most high profile backers, including the Marchioness of Worcester and a Nobel prize-winning biologist, had posted £140,000 in bail money for the WikiLeaks founder. Their sureties were put at risk when Assange jumped bail and claimed asylum in Ecuadorian embassy in July.
Julian Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy for two months. He will be arrested and extradited if he sets foot outside the embassy
Celebrity supporters, including Jemima Khan and film director Ken Loach, have already lost the £200,000 they posted in securities for Assange in December 2010.
Tuesday’s hearing was a chance for nine of them to convince judges why they should not lose their money.
Among those fighting to keep their cash on Tuesday were the Marchioness of Worcester Lady Caroline Evans, Nobel Prize-winning biologist Sir John Sulston, as well as Assange’s WikiLeaks assistant Joseph Farrell and Frontline Club boss Vaughan Smith.
Their case has been adjourned until 3 October.
A QC representing four of the backers told Westminister Magistrates’ Court that they should keep their bail money because Assange’s decision to seek refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy was 'entirely unforeseeable,' according to Court News.
He insists his clients are in an 'invidious position’ and that it would be unjust to take their money.
The WikiLeaks founder was awaiting extradition to Sweden to face questioning over sexual assault allegations when he entered the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge in July, claiming asylum.
At the time he was under strict bail conditions. He had to live and sleep at an address in Kent, and report daily to Tunbridge Wells police station.
He walked into Ecuador’s embassy days after the Supreme Court denied his appeal against extradition. He fears that once he reaches Sweden he will face extradition to the US.