Assange: I Could End Up Like Gabrielle Giffords

WikiLeaks issued a warning today: Treat the numerous threats against founder Julian Assange seriously, “or expect more Gabrielle Gifford (sic) killing sprees.” Assange headed back to court today in London in his continuing fight to avoid extradition to Sweden, but before that brief appearance, his organization issued a press release via Twitlonger.com offering condolences to the Tucson shooting victims—and drawing comparisons between that tragedy and threats against WikiLeaks.

The release lists many examples of the “unprecedented violent rhetoric” aimed at WikiLeaks staff and contributors, from the likes of Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Rush Limbaugh, and more, and recalled the warning of the Tucson sheriff that such rhetoric can “inflame … unbalanced personalities.” “When senior politicians and attention seeking media commentators call for specific individuals or groups of people to be killed they should be charged with incitement—to murder,” said Assange in the statement. His next court appearance is Feb. 7, reports the AP.