Prosecutors Threw the Book at Julian Assange. Here’s How That Could Backfire

Julian Assange appeared in a British court Friday in the first of what is likely to be many battles over a recently filed U.S. extradition attempt. Speaking via video link from a maximum-security prison near London, the 47-year old WikiLeaks founder declared that "175 years of my life is effectively at stake," while banner-waving supporters demonstrated outside Westminster Magistrates Court.

Julian Assange appeared in a British court Friday in the first of what is likely to be many battles over a recently filed U.S. extradition attempt. Speaking via video link from a maximum-security prison near London, the 47-year old WikiLeaks founder declared that "175 years of my life is effectively at stake," while banner-waving supporters demonstrated outside Westminster Magistrates Court.