(Bloomberg) -- A London judge denied bail for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after his lawyers said he was at increased risk of catching the coronavirus in prison.

There are currently no confirmed cases at Belmarsh prison, where he is incarcerated, Judge Vanessa Baraitser said Wednesday. She added that when Assange was given bail previously, he fled.

  • His lawyers argued a virus outbreak was highly likely at the prison and his health conditions put his life at risk if he was infected
  • “This global pandemic does not provide grounds for Mr. Assange’s release,” the judge said

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