It's Julian Assange's time in the barrel. DOJ preparing to prosecute in US court.

[MelissaB]

U.S. Is Optimistic It Will Prosecute Assange
Source: Wall Street Journal

Over the past year, U.S. prosecutors have discussed several types of charges they could potentially bring against the WikiLeaks founder

By Aruna Viswanatha and
Ryan Dube
Nov. 15, 2018 6:05 p.m. ET

The Justice Department is preparing to prosecute WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and is increasingly optimistic it will be able to get him into a U.S. courtroom, according to people in Washington familiar with the matter.

Over the past year, U.S. prosecutors have discussed several types of charges they could potentially bring against Mr. Assange, the people said. Mr. Assange has lived in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since receiving political asylum from the South American country in 2012.

The people familiar with the case wouldn’t describe whether discussions were under way with the U.K. or Ecuador about Mr. Assange, but said they were encouraged by recent developments.

...

Prosecutors have considered publicly indicting Mr. Assange to try to trigger his removal from the embassy, the people said, because a detailed explanation of the evidence against Mr. Assange could give Ecuadorean authorities a reason to turn him over.

The exact charges Justice Department might pursue remain unclear, but they may involve the Espionage Act, which criminalizes the disclosure of national defense-related information.

Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-is-optimistic-it-will-prosecute-assange-1542323142

[empedocles]

1. Will be interesting, will happen - and will be overdue.

[struggle4progress]

2. Says who?

[wiggs]

3. If...if the theory of the case is accurate, that Assange helped with transfer of stolen information

between Russians and the Trump campaign, then Assange has Trump over a barrel and will be negotiating for asylum and protection....as Credico (?) reportedly asked Stone to relay to Trump.

So...I don't know who at the DOJ has Assange in his sights, but you have to wonder how far extradition and prosecution will go in this administration. Assange is in trouble for leaking classified information years ago and also for alleged participation in the 2016 election. Perhaps because of the knowledge he has, he sees a way to pressure Trump on both counts?

Doubtful the hammer will fall on Assange until Trump is gone. Maybe a plea, but no serious new jail time. If the theory of the case is correct.

[Blue_true]

4. Let's hope US prosecutors get to him before the Russians do.

He better hope the embassy he hides out in don't have more than four floors. And he needs to be careful touching door handles. He is a liability to the Russians now.