Key Points
- Julian Assange's family say he is "not well" as he remains in a UK maximum security prison.
- He is appealing decision to extradite him to the US where he is wanted on 18 charges, including espionage and hacking.
This story contains reference to suicide.
Julian Assange's family say he is "not well" as he remains in a UK maximum security prison while fighting an extradition ruling, with fears he may not survive the process.
The Wikileaks founder has been held in London's Belmarsh Prison since 2019 after the United States took legal action to extradite him over the leaking of classified military documents more than a decade ago.
He is appealing , but his brother Gabriel Shipton said his family is "living in fear" that he "won't survive the whole process."
That same month, his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald on his chronic depression and Asperger's syndrome if he was sent to the United States where he could face a jail term of 170 years — although lawyers there say he would more likely face four to six years in prison.
More recently, Australian Doctors for Assange said the 51-year-old was "suffering from severe life-threatening cardiovascular and stress-related medical conditions" and could die in the coming months.
"Belmarsh is a maximum security prison. If you have a stroke in your cell and you're on your own, there's no one to call emergency services for you," Gabriel said.
Supporters of Julian Assange at a protest in central London, UK, on 1 July, 2022. Source: AAP, EPA / Andy Rain
"So it's very concerning that Doctors for Assange is saying that he will likely have another stroke. So he needs to get out of the prison before it's too late."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in December 2021 when he was Opposition leader said he did not see the purpose of the "ongoing pursuit" of Mr Assange and that "enough is enough".
Since his federal election victory, he has not been forthcoming on the issue, saying he would not be pressured into publicly intervening in the case and would deal with the matter through diplomatic channels.
But Mr Assange's father, John Shipton, said he is not confident the government is lobbying in the background.
"They haven't reached out to us," John said.
"Nobody's contacted me. In fact, they seem to make a lot of effort not to contact me."
He wants Mr Albanese to "pick up the phone and... solve the matter" as he fears for his son, who he said is "not well".
Mr Assange's brother said while they haven't heard from the federal government yet, Mr Albanese's comments were "very encouraging".
"We are confident that there is more support, and from the prime minister's statements, 'enough is enough', and that he 'doesn't see what purpose is served' by Julian being kept in prison are very encouraging," Gabriel said.
Mr Assange's submission to the UK High Court is his final avenue of appeal after a three-year legal battle over attempts to extradite him to the US, where he is wanted on 18 charges, including espionage and hacking.
Australian and world politicians have been calling for his release, including Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who has been a vocal supporter of the Wikileaks founder.
"This has gone on long enough, it's time to put it to an end," Mr Wilkie said in July.
Also that month, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wrote in a letter to US President Joe Biden that imprisoning Mr Assange , and renewed a previous offer of asylum to him.
SBS News has contacted Mr Albanese's office for comment.
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25). More information and support with mental health is available at and on 1300 224 636.
supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
