Julian Assange has been arrested by British police today after Ecuador withdrew his political asylum seven years after he was given refuge by the country.

The Wikileaks founder was dragged head-first out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in handcuffs by a group of seven burly police officers as stunned supporters and protesters watched on in central London.

He is currently in police custody and is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court 'as soon as possible'.

Ecuador's president Lenin Moreno said the decision to withdraw Assange's asylum status came after the 'repeated violations to international conventions and daily-life protocols' and his 'discourteous and aggressive behaviour'.

Moreno added that he had asked Britain to guarantee that Assange would not be extradited to a country where he could face torture or the death penalty.

Moments after the arrest, during which Assange held on to a Gore Vidal book on the history of the national security state, WikiLeaks said Ecuador had acted illegally and 'in violation of international law'.

Assange, 47, has not left Ecuador's diplomatic soil for seven years amid fears he would be arrested and extradited for publishing thousands of classified military and diplomatic cables.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6911187/Wikileaks-founder-Julian-Assange-arrested-police.html



Photos: Assange before and after. Credit: Daily Mail.

Ecuador's president slams 'discourteous and aggressive behaviour' of Julian Assange

Lenin Moreno, President of Ecuador, said in a statement on Julian Assange that he had displayed 'discourteous and aggressive behaviour'.

Here is the full transcript of his televised address: 'Ecuador is a generous country and a nation with open arms. Ours is a government respectful of the principles of international law, and of the institution of the right of asylum.

'Granting or withdrawing asylum is a sovereign right of the Ecuadorian state, according to international law.

'Today, I announce that the discourteous and aggressive behaviour of Mr Julian Assange, the hostile and threatening declaration of its allied organisation, against Ecuador, and especially the transgression of international treaties, have led the situation to a point where the asylum of Mr Assange is unsustainable and no longer viable.

'Ecuador sovereignly has decided to terminate the diplomatic asylum granted to Mr Assange in 2012. For six years and 10 months, the Ecuadorian people have protected the human rights of Mr Assange and have provided for his everyday needs at the facilities of our Embassy in London.

'When I became the President of Ecuador, I inherited this situation and decided to adopt a protocol to set the daily life rules at the Embassy, which is less than anyone may expect from a guest hosted at his own house.

'Ecuador has fulfilled its obligations in the framework of international law. On the other hand, Mr Assange violated, repeatedly, clear cut provisions of the conventions on diplomatic asylum of Havana and Caracas; despite the fact that he was requested on several occasions to respect and abide by these rules.

'He particularly violated the norm of not intervening in the internal affairs of other states. The most recent incident occurred in January 2019, when WikiLeaks leaked Vatican documents. Key members of that organisation visited Mr Assange before and after such illegal acts.

'This and other publications have confirmed the world's suspicion that Mr Assange is still linked to WikiLeaks and therefore involved in interfering in internal affairs of other states.

'The patience of Ecuador has reached its limit on the behaviour of Mr Assange. He installed electronic and distortion equipment not allowed. He blocked the security cameras of the Ecuadorian Mission in London.

'He has confronted and mistreated guards. He had accessed the security files of our Embassy without permission. He claimed to be isolated and rejected the internet connection offered by the Embassy, and yet he had a mobile phone with which he communicated with the outside world.

'While Ecuador upheld the generous conditions of his asylum, Mr Assange legally challenged in three different instances the legality of the protocol. In all cases, the relevant judicial authorities have validated Ecuador's position.

'In line with our strong commitment to human rights and international law, I requested Great Britain to guarantee that Mr Assange would not be extradited to a country where he could face torture or the death penalty.

'The British Government has confirmed it in writing, in accordance with its own rules. Finally, two days ago, WikiLeaks, Mr Assange's allied organisation, threatened the government of Ecuador.

'My government has nothing to fear and does not act under threats. Ecuador is guided by the principles of law, complies with international law and protects the interests of Ecuadorians.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6911187/Wikileaks-founder-Julian-Assange-arrested-police.html