HM Prison Belmarsh

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was denied bail on Wednesday after his defense lawers argued a release from Belmarsh Prison in London would mitigate his "high risk" of catching coronavirus.

Assange's lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, told Westminster Magistrates Court Assange has prior chest and tooth infections and osteoporis, placing him at a higher risk from the virus.

However, Judge Vannessa Baraitser rejected the arguments, arguing that based on Assange's prior conduct, there are "substantial grounds" to believe that if released he would not return to face extradition hearing. "As matters stand today, this global pandemic does not, as of itself, yet provide grounds for Mr Assange’s release," she said.