Today, supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange protested in front of the Australian Foreign Affairs department offices in Sydney -- one of many demonstrations in support of Assange around Australia today.
The protesters are calling on the Australian government to fight for the government transparency activist after yesterday's British High Court hearing approved Assange's extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations -- a move that many say will result in political persecution.
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Radio Australia/ ABC: Demonstrators call on Australian government to support Assange
The supporters called on the government to protect the activist after he lost his fight against extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations.
Mr Assange believes he could be extradited from Sweden to the United States over conspiracy and espionage allegations.
Protester Ann Picot said she was outraged by the lack of support from the Gillard government.
The Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr, says the government is giving Mr Assange the same consular assistance offered to any Australian caught up in a legal matter overseas. [...]
He says he also believes the United States wants to prosecute him for conspiracy and espionage over the release of diplomatic cables.
Greens MP Adam Bandt says Australia should be making strong public representations to the US on his behalf as well as bring diplomatic pressure "behind closed doors".
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