Australian high commissioner visits Julian Assange in UK prison

Stephen Smith says he hopes to make regular visits to the WikiLeaks founder, who is in Belmarsh prison and faces espionage charges in the US

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Australia’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Stephen Smith, has visited jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at a British prison.

Assange continues to face espionage charges in the United States and remains in London’s Belmarsh prison, held there since 2019 while fighting extradition proceedings.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup