A group of more than 100 doctors has written to Australian authorities warning that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange urgently needs medical treatment at a university hospital.
If not, the doctors warn Assange is on his deathbed and won’t survive much longer.
The doctors said Assange suffers from psychological problems including depression as well as dental issues and a serious shoulder ailment. They want the Australian government to petition the British for Assange’s release to a hospital.
“Should Mr. Assange die in a British prison, people will want to know what you, minister, did to prevent his death,” the letter says.
“It is an even more serious matter for that citizen’s own government to refuse to intervene, against historical precedent and numerous converging lines of medical advice,” the letter reads.
Assange is in Belmarsh Prison on the outskirts of London in advance of an extradition hearing set for February. He is sought by the U.S. on espionage charges relating to his WikiLeaks work.
The letter was sent to Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
Dr. Lissa Johnson of Australia said in November that an independent medical assessment is needed to determine if Assange is “medically fit” to face legal proceedings.
The letter was distributed by WikiLeaks.
The Associated Press contributed to this article