WikiLeaks is warning that its founder, Julian Assange, is in deteriorating health and has dramatically lost weight since he was jailed last month in London’s Belmarsh Prison. In a statement, WikiLeaks said Assange had been transferred to the prison’s health ward, and his lawyer Per Samuelson told reporters, “Assange’s health situation on Friday was such that it was not possible to conduct a normal conversation with him.” Assange was due to appear by video link before a magistrates’ court today but failed to appear, reportedly due to health problems. The Trump administration is seeking Assange’s extradition to the U.S. to face 17 counts of violating the World War I-era Espionage Act—which could see Assange jailed for 170 years. Press freedom advocates have denounced the charges as a direct assault on the First Amendment aimed at chilling investigative reporting.