Assange is involved in a very risky venture with Wikileaks. I am confident he knows that. He doesn't accept the risk. He could have been free already. He would not or will get five years. I would think as a businessman he would be ready for every event before it happens. He could have avoided any jail time in the UK if he simply came forward to answer charges in the USA.
As a matter of fact, with the extradition taking as long as it can possibly take (which will make Trump happy), Assange will have finished his jail time in England. He will more than likely have to be re-arrested to be extradited. It may very well be after the 2020 elections. Trump doesn't want to appear as though he would drop all charges before the next election.
Dropping charges against Assange can also be Quid Pro Quo.
One of the ongoing trials in the USA and why some redactions exist to the public involves people that were linked to the leaks from Russia to Wikileaks.
This should be a lesson that when people like Trump run for office, there are no friends. If Assange believed helping Trump would make his nightmares go away, he doesn't know Trump.
He and Wikileaks should focus on helping the little guy. They are his friends. Trump is not a friend to anyone. His focus was obvious with the vast tax reductions to the USA wealthy. Wikileaks did not do the little guy any favors this time.
Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange, in a prison van, as he leaves Southwark Crown Court in London on May 1.
...The offence for which Assange is wanted in the US (click here) is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment. It is grounded in an allegation that Assange engaged in a conspiracy with Chelsea Manning to hack US Department of Defence files, and publish classified information on Wikileaks.
Assange maintains his innocence, and his defenders argue that his extradition would set a dangerous precedent for journalism and the publication of truthful information – particularly as it may affect the US....
