WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison on Wednesday for jumping bail in Great Britain in 2012.
Judge
Deborah Taylor said Wednesday that Assange merited near the maximum
sentence of one year because of the seriousness of his offence.
Taylor
rejected his claim for leniency based on the nearly seven years he
spent in the Ecuadorian Embassy. She said Assange's seven years in the
embassy had cost British taxpayers £16 million ($21 million US), and he
sought asylum as a "deliberate attempt to delay justice."The white-haired Assange stood impassively with his hands clasped while the sentence was read at London's Southwark Crown Court. His supporters in the public gallery chanted "shame on you" at the judge as Assange was led away.
Assange
sought asylum in the South American country's London Embassy in June
2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he was wanted for questioning
over rape and sexual assault allegations.
He faces a separate court hearing Thursday on a U.S. extradition request. American authorities have charged Assange with conspiring to break into a Pentagon computer system.
Earlier, Assange
apologized unreservedly for skipping bail and holing up in the
Ecuadorian Embassy while his lawyers argued that he had jumped bail
because he was a "desperate man" fearing extradition to the United
States.
In a letter read by attorney Mark Summers, Assange said he
found himself "struggling with terrifying circumstances" and did what
he thought best.
The
judge appeared unimpressed by Assange's written apology and his
lawyer's argument. "It is essential to the rule of law that nobody is
above or beyond the reach of the law," Taylor said. "Orders of the court
are to be obeyed."
She pointed out that he had not surrendered
"willingly" and was only facing the court because the government of
Ecuador withdrew its protection last month. Assange was arrested April
11 after Ecuador revoked his political asylum, accusing him of
everything from meddling in the nation's foreign affairs to poor
hygiene.
Sweden
suspended its investigation into possible sexual misconduct against
Assange two years ago because he was beyond their reach while he was
living in the embassy. Prosecutors have said that investigation could be
revived if his situation changed.
WikiLeaks editor-in-chief
Kristinn Hrafnsson said after the sentencing that the extradition battle
with the U.S. is now the "big fight" facing Assange.
"It will be a question of life and death for Mr. Assange," he said.