WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be arrested if he comes out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London where he is seeking asylum, a Metropolitan Police representative at the scene said Thursday, without giving his name.
Assange was arrested in Britain in 2010 because Swedish authorities want to question him about allegations of rape and sexual molestation. His bail conditions included staying every night at the home of a supporter outside of London.
Why Assange needs Ecuador and Ecuador needs Assange
Two women have accused Assange of sexually assaulting them during an August 2010 visit to Sweden in connection with a WikiLeaks release of internal U.S. military documents. He was arrested in Britain that December and has been fighting extradition ever since, arguing the allegations are retribution for his organization's disclosure of American secrets.
Assange's only further legal recourse would be to apply immediately to the European Court of Human Rights, and his attorneys have vowed to do so. He has said he fears that if he is extradited to Sweden, authorities there could hand him over to the United States, where he then could be prosecuted for his role in the leaking of classified documents.
Assange has not been charged with a crime, but Swedish prosecutors want to question him about allegations of "unlawful coercion and sexual misconduct including rape," according to a Supreme Court document. Ecuador said its decision to consider Assange's asylum request "should in no way be interpreted as the government of Ecuador interfering in the judicial processes of either the United Kingdom or Sweden."
Julian Assange: Loathed, admired, here to stay
WikiLeaks, which facilitates the anonymous leaking of secret information, has published some 250,000 confidential U.S. diplomatic cables, causing embarrassment to the government and others. It also has published hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. documents relating to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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The interesting part of this is that while he maintains he's done nothing wrong, he refuses to answer questions about his actions. Clearly he must believe there's a chance he actually has done something wrong else what would he fear?
With regard to the US, if what he presumes is accurate, a stance that is not supported by any factual information, he's saying...in essence...that he shouldn't be held accountable for crimes that he committed in the US either. The only obvious conclusion is that he knows he's criminally liable and simply doesn't want to face justice.
My understanding is that he agreed to answer questions, from London, but Sweden insist he come back to Sweden to be questioned. I would imagine he thinks this is an excuse to nab him in Sweden and ship him off to the States.
Doesn't want to be railroaded.
Actually, Assange had said that he would be happy to sit down and answer questions from Swedish authority if they would come to UK. But Sweden has so far refused to send investigators over to question Assange. It would be much cheaper to do that instead.
'Ecuador said its decision to consider Assange's asylum request "should in no way be interpreted as the government of Ecuador interfering in the judicial processes of either the United Kingdom or Sweden."'
That's like pointing a loaded gun at someone and saying, "My pulling the trigger should in no way be interpreted as attempted murder." I am so sick and tired of people using disclaimers and legalese to try to weasel their way out of facing the consequences for their actions. If Ecuador grants Assange asylum, then they very well *do* intend to interfere with the judicial processes in Sweeden and GB, and they will have lied to the world. There's no other way to look at it.
He has not been charged in Sweden. Why should he go. They are only accusations. He has not been convicted. The law and disclaimers are there to protect YOU.
But you'll tolerate cowards at the DoD playing games because they got their feeliongs hurt.
"I am so sick and tired of people using disclaimers and legalese to try to weasel their way out of facing the consequences for their actions"
Then where is the legal justification for any of this considering he's never been charged with a crime?
the guy has not been charged with anything,what legal rights does England even have to detain him,helloooooooooo
The US govt allowed the wall st thieves to destroy millions of people's equity in their homes that they
Spent their entire lives building. And then gave them billions to Wall st. Does anyone actually think
This govt of ours gives a crap about anyone's rights. The swedes already have a plane waiting to
Send Assange back to the USA.
We meed more People Like Assange to humiliate world politicians for their lies.
I respectfully disagree; the politicians have no trouble doing it without any assistance
Why doesn't the Swedish police just send 2 investigators to London to question Assange? That will save time, money, and all the headache?
Nice legalese presentation but all the rhetoric presented denys that he is the target of a vendetta by US, and that is a political action; An action that many nations, including the US, have granted and hold onto as their sovereign rights, and has always been recognized.
Well except by US and Israel that recognize no one but their own interest. borders or diplomatic rules do not apply.
Once under any nations judicial and criminal jurisdiction, even Switzerlands vaunted neutrality, changes the rules on wether one can be deported or not.
IMHO, what I see is not hiding from his actions and has no bearing on guilt in Sweden of charges there but certainty of a conviction within US no matter of verdict in Sweden.
Only way Ecuador, who in past has refused extradiction to US in many cases, will determine if this case is political.
I doubt that they, under todays U S vindicative actions towards anyone that goes against their interest, will grant assylum.
interesting that he resists so hard the very fate he assinged Manning as he stepped on him to get higher
He will be arrested no doubt because of behind the scene's pressure from the corrupt US government.
These allegations are clearly as night follows day trumped up.
Good luck Mr Assange.
@ Steve Lyons
Why not?
If we can use drones against Americans on American soil?
My sarcasm doesn't seem to be working today
He's gonna have to be the best guest the embassy ever had.
What if he sees his shadow.
How is going to get to Ecuador if he won't come out of the embassy? Assange reminds me of these internet tough guys and real life they are scared little cowards.
the two women in Sweden have rights too. he should be returned to answer questions in order for them to have justice which they deserve.
Yes indeed this turd is going down - finally. Wonder how he is enjoyin his new life style - always on the run/hiding.If he goes to Ecudor he will go down withing 6-9 months – fact
Most of you are just mad that expose that our government is basically a criminal organization no better then Mobsters.
No I'm mad because we live in a country full of civilians such as yourself that don't see what kind of harm some of these leaks can cause.