“If Swedish interrogators want to interrogate him they can do it in London. Everyone in their right mind knows that this is a stepping stone to the US.” Chomsky draws a parallel with Bradley Manning, the US soldier accused of having leaked thousands of classified documents to Wikileaks, and says that what to happened Manning is a clear indication of how Assange will be treated if he is extradited to the United States.

Manning has been held in a military prison for almost a year and a half without trial — most of that time in solitary confinement. “There is no doubt that the purpose of all this is to get [Manning] to say something about Assange, who will also be treated the same way if he ever comes to the US… Therefore, a decent country at this time — if there is one — would grant him political asylum,”

Chomsky says of the Swedish legal system “that one can not rely on it, which is not so surprising.” Sweden cooperated with the Nazis during World War II and is now working with the Americans, he points out. “Sweden cooperates with whoever is in power… suppose that Syria asks Sweden to extradite somebody to Syria whom they accuse works with the rebels — would Sweden do it? No!”

“By right [Assange] ought to get a medal of honour. He’s performing his responsibilities as a citizen of a democratic society and people ought to know what their representatives are doing “

Statements purportedly made by Manning would indicate that he considered himself a whistleblower acting on behalf of the public. Manning was turned in by an informer, Adrian Lamo, a former computer hacker whom the soldier had contacted and reportedly told via online chats that he had leaked the helicopter video and was prepared to do the same with other material.

In chats later turned over to the FBI and published in edited form by Wired magazine, Manning allegedly said he wanted to see “hopefully worldwide discussion, debates and reforms” as a result of the revelations. “If not, then we’re doomed—as a species. I will officially give up on the society we have if nothing happens.”

Despite having an exemplary record of conduct with no threatening or violent behavior, Manning is classified as a “maximum custody detainee,” the highest level of military detention. On this basis, he has been subjected to extremely repressive conditions.