The trial in the Assange case is currently taking place in London. Assange has brought light into dark corners of power with WikiLeaks, exposing what many would have preferred to leave in the shadows. His case is a precedent for press freedom and the rights of journalists worldwide - we made this clear in a letter to the British authorities, which I signed together with colleagues in the European Parliament.

The possible extradition to the USA, where he faces solitary confinement and a disproportionate sentence, contradicts the international human rights standards to which the United Kingdom has also committed itself.

We must not allow journalists and whistleblowers to stop reporting and informing the public for fear of reprisals. Together with my colleagues in the European Parliament, I stand for our democratic freedoms, for the right to information and for the protection of journalists like Julian Assange.

We call on the British authorities to live up to their responsibility and not extradite Julian Assange.