Julian Assange Invites King Charles to Visit His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh

Last week, Julian Assange, the head of WikiLeaks, said that he has invited British royalty, King Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to visit His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh. This invitation was made in response to the UK government’s decision to impose a temporary ban on conjugal visits for prisoners. Assange has been serving a sentence at the high-security prison in London since April 2019. In his statement, Assange said, “I trust it is clear why His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh needs inspection, so I have invited HRH King Charles to visit Belmarsh and have asked Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to accompany him.”

Background on Julian Assange

Assange co-founded the non-profit media organization WikiLeaks in 2006. WikiLeaks began primarily as a platform to publish confidential and classified information regarding war crimes and other human rights violations. In 2010, WikiLeaks released the US military documents it obtained on the Afghan and Iraq wars, leading to criminal charges by the US government.

The US government dropped charges against Assange in 2019, but he still faces a sentencing of up to 175 years in prison for his alleged role in the hacking conspiracy. In April 2019, Assange was sentenced to a British jail in London, where he has been ever since.

The UK Government’s Ban on Conjugal Visiting

Last month, the UK government enforced a temporary ban on conjugal visits for prisoners. This decision was criticized by many organizations, including Human Rights Watch, for its violation of human rights. In response to the decision, Assange wrote an open letter to King Charles, inviting the royal couple to personally inspect the prison conditions. He believes that the visit would help King Charles and Camilla understand the effects of the government’s policy.

Assange’s Invitation

In his letter, Assange said, “Your Majesty, I write to seek your assistance. As you know, I am an investigative journalist who remains in prison for lawfully publishing documents. I remain detained in conditions that the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Professor Nils Melzer, described as cruel, inhuman and degrading.” Assange urged the UK government to lift the ban on conjugal visits, saying that it was against human rights and dignity. He also asked King Charles to visit the prison to witness the living conditions of prisoners. In conclusion, he wrote, “I trust it is clear why His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh needs inspection, so I have invited HRH King Charles to visit Belmarsh and have asked Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to accompany him.”

Conclusion

Assange’s invitation to King Charles and Camilla to visit His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh is a response to the UK government’s temporary ban on conjugal visits for prisoners. He believes that by visiting the prison, the royal couple will be able to understand the implications of the government policy. Whether or not the invitation is accepted remains to be seen.

Original Article Teaser

Julian Assange invites King Charles to visit His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh

Breaking News Julian Assange wrote a letter to King Charles ahead of his coronation inviting him to visit the UK prison where Assange has been captive for more than four years. “I implore you, King Charles,” Assange wrote, “to visit His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh, for it is an honour befitting a king.” The Guardian reported

Details to Julian Assange invites King Charles to visit His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh