JULIAN ASSANGE has described the chaos and misery within Britain's maximum-security Belmarsh Prison were coronavirus has infected many inmates.
Mr Assange explained to a friend that Belmarsh Prison, where he is detained, is "barely functioning". He added: "The virus is ripping through the prison.” British freelance video journalist Vaughan Smith has revealed in a Facebook post, after talking with Assange by phone that as many as 150 prison staff members have been forced into self-isolation as they might have contracted the coronavirus
Mr Smith said. "The prison admitted in mid-March that the disease already reached its premises.
"They even reported one coronavirus-linked inmate death."
The WikiLeaks founder has to spend almost 24 hours alone in his cell.
Belmarsh is a maximum-security prison where there are many inmates convicted of terrorism
Steps to limit the spread of the disease within the prison have been taken.
Prisoners are now not allowed to be in contact with each other, except during exercise.
The measure to limit any contact is in order to stem the spread of the disease.
Mr Assange and other inmates still spend half an hour of exercise per day.
At this time, they are still allowed in a yard crowded with others, according to his friend.
Mr Assange's friend, Mr Smith has already reported on the WikiLeaks founder’s condition in Belmarsh before.
The journalist, who has apparently known Assange for years, raised alarm about his health back in 2019 following another phone call.
The latest Ministry of Justice figures show three deaths and a 20 percent increase in cases of the virus to 107 prisoners across 38 prisons and 19 staff across 12 prisons.
Reply With Quote
Connect With Us