Julian Assange supporters protest outside extradition hearing in London

Protesters have gathered outside the high court in London in support of Julian Assange as he launches his latest attempt to fight extradition to the US. The WikiLeaks founder's lawyers will argue that his extradition would amount to punishment for political opinions. They are also expected to claim the decision would violate the European convention on human rights, including his right to free speech. Disclosures by WikiLeaks exposed details of US activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, and included video footage of a helicopter attack by US forces that killed 11 people including two Reuters journalists Julian Assange supporters gather outside court as extradition hearing starts