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| Assange arrest: Trump claims to 'know nothing about WikiLeaks' despite past praise – live | Assange arrest: Trump claims to 'know nothing about WikiLeaks' despite past praise – live |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Chelsea Manning’s legal team has released a statement arguing that the unveiling of the year-old Assange indictment means she was improperly held in contempt of court because, as they argued at the time, “compelling Chelsea to testify would have been duplicative of evidence already in the possession of the grand jury.” | |
| Lawyers for Manning plan to file a reply brief in an appeal asking the Fourth Circuit court of appeals to vacate a district court judge’s 8 March finding of civil contempt. | |
| A statement released by Manning’s legal team said in part: | |
| Ms. Manning, a staunch advocate for government transparency, asserted legal grounds for her refusal to participate in what she views as an assault on the free press. She remains in detention as a result of the contempt finding. The Assange indictment disclosed this morning strengthens their claims of grand jury abuse, say Manning’s attorneys. | |
| “The indictment against Julian Assange unsealed today was obtained a year to the day before Chelsea appeared before the grand jury and refused to give testimony. The fact that this indictment has existed for over a year underscores what Chelsea’s legal team and Chelsea herself have been saying since she was first issued a subpoena to appear in front of a Federal Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Virginia — that compelling Chelsea to testify would have been duplicative of evidence already in the possession of the grand jury, and was not needed in order for US Attorneys to obtain an indictment of Mr. Assange. Grand Juries may not be used for the sole and dominant purpose of preparing for trial, including questioning potential trial witnesses. Since her testimony can no longer contribute to a grand jury investigation, Chelsea’s ongoing detention can no longer be seriously alleged to constitute an attempt to coerce her testimony. As continued detention would be purely punitive, we demand Chelsea be released.” | |
| Here’s video of Trump in the Oval Office saying “I know nothing about Wikileaks, it’s not my thing.” He says the Assange case is in attorney general William Barr’s court. | Here’s video of Trump in the Oval Office saying “I know nothing about Wikileaks, it’s not my thing.” He says the Assange case is in attorney general William Barr’s court. |
| “I know really nothing about him,” Trump says of Assange. “It’s not my deal in life.” | “I know really nothing about him,” Trump says of Assange. “It’s not my deal in life.” |
| Here’s our earlier post on the topic including a mash-up video of the 100+ times Trump mentioned WikiLeaks on the campaign trail. | Here’s our earlier post on the topic including a mash-up video of the 100+ times Trump mentioned WikiLeaks on the campaign trail. |
| Here’s a selection of our coverage so far today of the Assange arrest: | Here’s a selection of our coverage so far today of the Assange arrest: |
| Julian Assange charged by US with computer hacking conspiracy | Julian Assange charged by US with computer hacking conspiracy |
| The seven-year itch: Assange's awkward stay in the embassy | The seven-year itch: Assange's awkward stay in the embassy |
| Assange branded a 'narcissist' by judge who found him guilty | Assange branded a 'narcissist' by judge who found him guilty |
| Julian Assange: key dates in the WikiLeaks founder's case | Julian Assange: key dates in the WikiLeaks founder's case |
| A plaintiff has requested that Sweden’s investigation into rape allegations against Assange should be resumed, Sweden’s prosecution service said today. | A plaintiff has requested that Sweden’s investigation into rape allegations against Assange should be resumed, Sweden’s prosecution service said today. |
| David Crouch in Sweden reports: | David Crouch in Sweden reports: |
| Deputy chief prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson will handle the request in Gothenburg. | Deputy chief prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson will handle the request in Gothenburg. |
| “We will now examine the matter to determine how we proceed,” Persson said in a statement. “The preliminary investigation has therefore not been resumed yet and we do not know today whether it will happen. We cannot promise any timetable for when decisions will be made.” | “We will now examine the matter to determine how we proceed,” Persson said in a statement. “The preliminary investigation has therefore not been resumed yet and we do not know today whether it will happen. We cannot promise any timetable for when decisions will be made.” |
| The statute of limitations on the allegations run out in mid-August 2020. | The statute of limitations on the allegations run out in mid-August 2020. |
| Massimo Moratti, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe Research, has released a statement opposing the extradition of Assange to the United States. | Massimo Moratti, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe Research, has released a statement opposing the extradition of Assange to the United States. |
| “Amnesty International calls on the UK to refuse to extradite or send in any other manner Julian Assange to the USA where there is a very real risk that he could face human rights violations, including detention conditions that would violate the absolute prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment and an unfair trial followed by possible execution, due to his work with WikiLeaks,” the statement says in part. | “Amnesty International calls on the UK to refuse to extradite or send in any other manner Julian Assange to the USA where there is a very real risk that he could face human rights violations, including detention conditions that would violate the absolute prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment and an unfair trial followed by possible execution, due to his work with WikiLeaks,” the statement says in part. |
| It continues: | It continues: |
| “We are aware of allegations of rape and other sexual violence against Julian Assange - which should be properly investigated in a way that respects the rights of both the complainants and the accused - and he should be brought to justice if there is sufficient evidence against him. | “We are aware of allegations of rape and other sexual violence against Julian Assange - which should be properly investigated in a way that respects the rights of both the complainants and the accused - and he should be brought to justice if there is sufficient evidence against him. |
| “If Sweden decides to pursue an extradition of Mr Assange from the UK, there must be adequate assurances that he would not be extradited or otherwise sent to the USA. | “If Sweden decides to pursue an extradition of Mr Assange from the UK, there must be adequate assurances that he would not be extradited or otherwise sent to the USA. |
| “It remains unclear what formal process took place to allow the UK authorities to enter the Ecuadorian Embassy and detain Julian Assange, who had reportedly had his Ecuadorian citizenship suspended yesterday. | “It remains unclear what formal process took place to allow the UK authorities to enter the Ecuadorian Embassy and detain Julian Assange, who had reportedly had his Ecuadorian citizenship suspended yesterday. |
| “We urge the UK authorities to comply with the assurances provided to Ecuador that he would not be sent anywhere he could face the death penalty, torture or other ill-treatment.” | “We urge the UK authorities to comply with the assurances provided to Ecuador that he would not be sent anywhere he could face the death penalty, torture or other ill-treatment.” |
| The Washington-based legal analyst Susan Hennessey has drawn a comparison between Assange’s case and that of Lauri Love, who successfully fought extradition to the US on hacking charges: | The Washington-based legal analyst Susan Hennessey has drawn a comparison between Assange’s case and that of Lauri Love, who successfully fought extradition to the US on hacking charges: |
| Lauri Love ruling 'sets precedent' for trying hacking suspects in UK | Lauri Love ruling 'sets precedent' for trying hacking suspects in UK |
| Donald Trump, who frequently praised WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential campaign, whose son exchanged messages with the organization on Twitter, and whose associate Robert Stone communicated with Assange about material WikiLeaks planned to publish, has just told US reporters that WikiLeaks is “not my thing.” | Donald Trump, who frequently praised WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential campaign, whose son exchanged messages with the organization on Twitter, and whose associate Robert Stone communicated with Assange about material WikiLeaks planned to publish, has just told US reporters that WikiLeaks is “not my thing.” |
| “I know nothing about WikiLeaks,” Trump said in the Oval Office, according to a White House pool report. “It’s not my thing.” | “I know nothing about WikiLeaks,” Trump said in the Oval Office, according to a White House pool report. “It’s not my thing.” |
| With the United States having requested Assange’s extradition to face criminal charges, the WikiLeaks’ founder’s stock is currently low in Washington. But it wasn’t always so. Here’s a video of Trump on the stump going on and on (and on) about WikiLeaks: | With the United States having requested Assange’s extradition to face criminal charges, the WikiLeaks’ founder’s stock is currently low in Washington. But it wasn’t always so. Here’s a video of Trump on the stump going on and on (and on) about WikiLeaks: |
| Uh... https://t.co/ER8txZe5Y5 | Uh... https://t.co/ER8txZe5Y5 |
| WikiLeaks was so popular inside the Trump camp during the campaign that they worked under a poster of Assange... | WikiLeaks was so popular inside the Trump camp during the campaign that they worked under a poster of Assange... |
| Hard to overstate the Trump campaign's enthusiasm for Julian Assange. I was backstage at Debate #2 and they literally had an Assange fanboy poster on the wall https://t.co/JWl6d7PpSi pic.twitter.com/NXO652FZKw | Hard to overstate the Trump campaign's enthusiasm for Julian Assange. I was backstage at Debate #2 and they literally had an Assange fanboy poster on the wall https://t.co/JWl6d7PpSi pic.twitter.com/NXO652FZKw |
| ...and Sean Hannity, Trump’s main cheerleader inside Fox News (and on the stump), offered to let Assange host his radio show. | ...and Sean Hannity, Trump’s main cheerleader inside Fox News (and on the stump), offered to let Assange host his radio show. |
| well this is awkward pic.twitter.com/RV3Ee4LCLj | well this is awkward pic.twitter.com/RV3Ee4LCLj |
| Just a few examples of Trump tweets that mention Wikileaks: pic.twitter.com/lNdTnhb0hZ | Just a few examples of Trump tweets that mention Wikileaks: pic.twitter.com/lNdTnhb0hZ |
| Edward Snowden has tweeted again, describing the “weakness of the US charge” as shocking. | Edward Snowden has tweeted again, describing the “weakness of the US charge” as shocking. |
| The weakness of the US charge against Assange is shocking. The allegation he tried (and failed?) to help crack a password during their world-famous reporting has been public for nearly a decade: it is the count Obama's DOJ refused to charge, saying it endangered journalism. https://t.co/xdTQ8xauB0 | The weakness of the US charge against Assange is shocking. The allegation he tried (and failed?) to help crack a password during their world-famous reporting has been public for nearly a decade: it is the count Obama's DOJ refused to charge, saying it endangered journalism. https://t.co/xdTQ8xauB0 |
| Can Julian Assange be charged with additional offences once he has been extradited to the United States? The Guardian’s legal affairs correspondent, Owen Bowcott, has this answer. | Can Julian Assange be charged with additional offences once he has been extradited to the United States? The Guardian’s legal affairs correspondent, Owen Bowcott, has this answer. |
| Normal practice is that anyone extradited can only be prosecuted in the country that sought them for the offences specified on the extradition indictment. That restriction is known as the Rule of Specialty. But there are two possible but difficult to use exemptions. | Normal practice is that anyone extradited can only be prosecuted in the country that sought them for the offences specified on the extradition indictment. That restriction is known as the Rule of Specialty. But there are two possible but difficult to use exemptions. |
| The first is that if it could be argued new information had come to light since his extradition, extra charges could conceivably be brought. “That almost never happens,” said Nick Vamos, the former head of extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service who is a partner at the London law firm peters and Peters. “American prosecutors would also have to seek the consent of the UK to bring in further charges.” | The first is that if it could be argued new information had come to light since his extradition, extra charges could conceivably be brought. “That almost never happens,” said Nick Vamos, the former head of extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service who is a partner at the London law firm peters and Peters. “American prosecutors would also have to seek the consent of the UK to bring in further charges.” |
| The second exemption covers what happens after someone has been extradited, convicted and then chooses to remain in the country. Essentially the extraditing country has to allow the prisoner time to run away after they have served their sentence. | The second exemption covers what happens after someone has been extradited, convicted and then chooses to remain in the country. Essentially the extraditing country has to allow the prisoner time to run away after they have served their sentence. |
| “After a short period, however, usually two months,” Vamos explained, “anyone who remained in the same country would be deemed to be treated like a local citizen and could be charged for other offences.” | “After a short period, however, usually two months,” Vamos explained, “anyone who remained in the same country would be deemed to be treated like a local citizen and could be charged for other offences.” |
| Neither conditions are likely to be met in Assange’s case. “The US has only put one charge on the indictment and it carries the maximum term of five years in prison. Assange has the opportunity to assent to it. It’s relatively light sentence by US standards,” said Vamos. | Neither conditions are likely to be met in Assange’s case. “The US has only put one charge on the indictment and it carries the maximum term of five years in prison. Assange has the opportunity to assent to it. It’s relatively light sentence by US standards,” said Vamos. |
| Here’s a bit more of the statement by Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, outside court today. | Here’s a bit more of the statement by Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, outside court today. |
| “Since 2010 we’ve warned that Julian Assange would face prosecution and extradition to the United States for his publishing activities with Wikileaks. Unfortunately today we’ve been proven right … | “Since 2010 we’ve warned that Julian Assange would face prosecution and extradition to the United States for his publishing activities with Wikileaks. Unfortunately today we’ve been proven right … |
| “We’ve today received a warrant and a provisional extradition request from the United States alleging that he has conspired with Chelsea Manning in relation to the materials published by Wikileaks in 2010. This sets a dangerous precedent for all media organisations and journalists in Europe and elsewhere around the world. This precedent means that any journalist can be extradited for prosecution in the United States for having published truthful information about the United States.” | “We’ve today received a warrant and a provisional extradition request from the United States alleging that he has conspired with Chelsea Manning in relation to the materials published by Wikileaks in 2010. This sets a dangerous precedent for all media organisations and journalists in Europe and elsewhere around the world. This precedent means that any journalist can be extradited for prosecution in the United States for having published truthful information about the United States.” |
| Elisabeth Massi Fritz, lawyer for the Swedish woman whose case against Assange remains outstanding, has given the Guardian a longer statement: | Elisabeth Massi Fritz, lawyer for the Swedish woman whose case against Assange remains outstanding, has given the Guardian a longer statement: |
| My client and I have today received the news that Assange has been arrested in London. It did understandably come as a shock to my client that what we have been waiting and hoping for since 2012 has now finally happened. We are going to do everything we possibly can to get the Swedish police investigation re-opened so that Assange can be extradited to Sweden and prosecuted for rape. No rape victim should have to wait nine years to see justice be served. | My client and I have today received the news that Assange has been arrested in London. It did understandably come as a shock to my client that what we have been waiting and hoping for since 2012 has now finally happened. We are going to do everything we possibly can to get the Swedish police investigation re-opened so that Assange can be extradited to Sweden and prosecuted for rape. No rape victim should have to wait nine years to see justice be served. |
| I have requested an urgent procedure [from the prosecutor to extradite Assange]. | I have requested an urgent procedure [from the prosecutor to extradite Assange]. |
| Assange’s lawyers have been speaking outside Westminster magistrates court. | Assange’s lawyers have been speaking outside Westminster magistrates court. |
| "This sets a dangerous precedent... any journalist can be extradited for prosecution in the US for having published truthful information about the US"Julian Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson confirms Wikileaks co-founder will fight extraditionhttps://t.co/4ioyi5LlrF pic.twitter.com/y1pHKyjF1D | "This sets a dangerous precedent... any journalist can be extradited for prosecution in the US for having published truthful information about the US"Julian Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson confirms Wikileaks co-founder will fight extraditionhttps://t.co/4ioyi5LlrF pic.twitter.com/y1pHKyjF1D |
| The home secretary, Sajid Javid, has been commenting on today’s events in the House of Commons. “Ecuador’s actions recognise that the UK criminal justice system is one in which rights are protected and in which, contrary to what Mr Assange and his supporters claim, he and his legitimate interests will be protected,” he said. | The home secretary, Sajid Javid, has been commenting on today’s events in the House of Commons. “Ecuador’s actions recognise that the UK criminal justice system is one in which rights are protected and in which, contrary to what Mr Assange and his supporters claim, he and his legitimate interests will be protected,” he said. |
| He said that proceedings would now begin according to the court timetable. Full extradition papers would need to be received by a judge within 65 days, said Javid, and a full extradition request certified by the Home Office. He said he would not discuss the accusations against Assange. | He said that proceedings would now begin according to the court timetable. Full extradition papers would need to be received by a judge within 65 days, said Javid, and a full extradition request certified by the Home Office. He said he would not discuss the accusations against Assange. |
| I am pleased that the situation in the Ecuadorian embassy has finally been brought to an end. Mr Assange will now have the opportunity to contest the charge against him in open court and to have any extradition requests considered by the judiciary. | I am pleased that the situation in the Ecuadorian embassy has finally been brought to an end. Mr Assange will now have the opportunity to contest the charge against him in open court and to have any extradition requests considered by the judiciary. |
| Diane Abbott responded to Javid’s statement by saying she was pleased to hear that Assange would now have access to medical care “because there have been worrying reports about his ill health”. | Diane Abbott responded to Javid’s statement by saying she was pleased to hear that Assange would now have access to medical care “because there have been worrying reports about his ill health”. |
| On this side of the house, we want to make the point that the reason we are debating Julian Assange this afternoon – even though the only charge he may face in this country is in relation to his bail hearings – is entirely to do with the whistleblowing activities of Julian Assange and Wikileaks. | On this side of the house, we want to make the point that the reason we are debating Julian Assange this afternoon – even though the only charge he may face in this country is in relation to his bail hearings – is entirely to do with the whistleblowing activities of Julian Assange and Wikileaks. |
| It is this whistleblowing activity into illegal wars, mass murder, murder of civilians and corruption on a grand scale that has put Julian Assange in the crosshairs of the US administration. It is for this reason that they have once more issued an extradition warrant against Julian Assange. | It is this whistleblowing activity into illegal wars, mass murder, murder of civilians and corruption on a grand scale that has put Julian Assange in the crosshairs of the US administration. It is for this reason that they have once more issued an extradition warrant against Julian Assange. |
| She added: “Julian Assange is not being pursued to protect US national security, he is being pursued because he has exposed wrongdoing by US administrations and their military forces.” | She added: “Julian Assange is not being pursued to protect US national security, he is being pursued because he has exposed wrongdoing by US administrations and their military forces.” |
| Speaking outside Westminster magistrates court after this afternoon’s hearing, WikiLeaks’ editor-in-chief, Kristinn Hrafnsson, said: | Speaking outside Westminster magistrates court after this afternoon’s hearing, WikiLeaks’ editor-in-chief, Kristinn Hrafnsson, said: |
| Anyone who wants the press to be free should consider the implications of this case. If they will extradite a journalist to the US then no journalist will be safe. This must stop. This must end. | Anyone who wants the press to be free should consider the implications of this case. If they will extradite a journalist to the US then no journalist will be safe. This must stop. This must end. |
| This is from journalist David Crouch in Sweden: | This is from journalist David Crouch in Sweden: |
| One of the Swedish women who made the 2010 allegations against Assange, whose rape case was closed by Swedish prosecutors in 2017, told the Guardian she was opposed to his extradition to the US.“I would be very surprised and sad if Julian is handed over to the US,” she said via email, asking for her name not to be used. | One of the Swedish women who made the 2010 allegations against Assange, whose rape case was closed by Swedish prosecutors in 2017, told the Guardian she was opposed to his extradition to the US.“I would be very surprised and sad if Julian is handed over to the US,” she said via email, asking for her name not to be used. |
| “For me this was never about anything else than his misconduct against me and other women, and his refusal to take responsibility for this. Too bad my case could never be investigated properly, but the arrest will not change this, the case cannot be opened. I am prepared to testify if the other case opens up again.” | “For me this was never about anything else than his misconduct against me and other women, and his refusal to take responsibility for this. Too bad my case could never be investigated properly, but the arrest will not change this, the case cannot be opened. I am prepared to testify if the other case opens up again.” |
| More from Simon Murphy at Westminster magistrates court: | More from Simon Murphy at Westminster magistrates court: |
| Assange shouted “this is unlawful” as police officers struggled to drag him from the Ecuadorian embassy this morning, the court heard. “This is unlawful, I’m not leaving,” he said. | Assange shouted “this is unlawful” as police officers struggled to drag him from the Ecuadorian embassy this morning, the court heard. “This is unlawful, I’m not leaving,” he said. |
| Here is a report from the Press Association – | Here is a report from the Press Association – |
| The court heard police officers arrived at the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge at about 9.15am and were met by the ambassador. “He indicated he was preparing to serve upon Assange documentation revoking his asylum,” James Hines, representing the US government, said. | The court heard police officers arrived at the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge at about 9.15am and were met by the ambassador. “He indicated he was preparing to serve upon Assange documentation revoking his asylum,” James Hines, representing the US government, said. |
| Officers tried to introduce themselves to him in order to execute the arrest warrant before he barged past them, attempting to return to his private room. He was eventually arrested at 10.15am. He resisted that arrest, claiming ‘this is unlawful’ and he had to be restrained. | Officers tried to introduce themselves to him in order to execute the arrest warrant before he barged past them, attempting to return to his private room. He was eventually arrested at 10.15am. He resisted that arrest, claiming ‘this is unlawful’ and he had to be restrained. |
| Officers were struggling to handcuff him. They received assistance from other officers outside and he was handcuffed saying, ‘this is unlawful, I’m not leaving’. He was in fact lifted into the police van outside the embassy and taken to West End Central police station. | Officers were struggling to handcuff him. They received assistance from other officers outside and he was handcuffed saying, ‘this is unlawful, I’m not leaving’. He was in fact lifted into the police van outside the embassy and taken to West End Central police station. |
| Assange’s lawyer, Liam Walker, said the defence of reasonable excuse partly relied on his claims the chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, who has previously dealt with the case, was biased against him. | Assange’s lawyer, Liam Walker, said the defence of reasonable excuse partly relied on his claims the chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, who has previously dealt with the case, was biased against him. |
| He alleged her husband, Lord Arbuthnot, was directly impacted by the activities of WikiLeaks and Assange. But the judge told Walker it was unacceptable for him to air the claim in front of a packed press gallery. | He alleged her husband, Lord Arbuthnot, was directly impacted by the activities of WikiLeaks and Assange. But the judge told Walker it was unacceptable for him to air the claim in front of a packed press gallery. |
| This is grossly unfair and improper to do it just to ruin the reputation of a senior and able judge in front of the press. | This is grossly unfair and improper to do it just to ruin the reputation of a senior and able judge in front of the press. |
| He has chosen not to give evidence, he has chosen to make assertions about a senior judge not having the courage to place himself before the court for the purpose of cross-examination. | He has chosen not to give evidence, he has chosen to make assertions about a senior judge not having the courage to place himself before the court for the purpose of cross-examination. |
| Those assertions made through counsel are not evidence as a matter of law. I find they are not capable of amounting to a reasonable excuse. | Those assertions made through counsel are not evidence as a matter of law. I find they are not capable of amounting to a reasonable excuse. |
| In a tweet, Bolivia’s president, Evo Morales, said: “We strongly condemn the detention of Julian Assange and the violation of freedom of speech. Our solidarity with this brother who is persecuted by the US government for revealing its human rights violations, murders of civilians and diplomatic espionage.” | In a tweet, Bolivia’s president, Evo Morales, said: “We strongly condemn the detention of Julian Assange and the violation of freedom of speech. Our solidarity with this brother who is persecuted by the US government for revealing its human rights violations, murders of civilians and diplomatic espionage.” |
| Condenamos enérgicamente la detención de #JulianAssange y la violación a la libertad de expresión. Nuestra solidaridad con este hermano que es perseguido por el gobierno de #EEUU por revelar sus violaciones a los derechos humanos, asesinatos de civiles y espionaje diplomático. | Condenamos enérgicamente la detención de #JulianAssange y la violación a la libertad de expresión. Nuestra solidaridad con este hermano que es perseguido por el gobierno de #EEUU por revelar sus violaciones a los derechos humanos, asesinatos de civiles y espionaje diplomático. |
| Guardian reporter Simon Murphy has been at Westminster magistrates court, where Julian Assange was found guilty of skipping bail after spending nearly seven years holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy. | Guardian reporter Simon Murphy has been at Westminster magistrates court, where Julian Assange was found guilty of skipping bail after spending nearly seven years holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy. |
| Justice Michael Snow described Assange as a narcissist. Snow told the court: “His assertion that he has had not had a fair hearing is laughable. And his behaviour is that of a narcissist who cannot get past his own self-interest.” | Justice Michael Snow described Assange as a narcissist. Snow told the court: “His assertion that he has had not had a fair hearing is laughable. And his behaviour is that of a narcissist who cannot get past his own self-interest.” |
| Assange, who pleaded not guilty, has been remanded in custody due to face sentencing at Southwark crown court at a date yet to be set. He is due to appear in May in relation to the United States’ extradition charge. | Assange, who pleaded not guilty, has been remanded in custody due to face sentencing at Southwark crown court at a date yet to be set. He is due to appear in May in relation to the United States’ extradition charge. |
| Justice Snow told the court: “His assertion that he has had not had a fair hearing is laughable. And his behaviour is that of a narcissist who cannot get past his own self-interest.” | Justice Snow told the court: “His assertion that he has had not had a fair hearing is laughable. And his behaviour is that of a narcissist who cannot get past his own self-interest.” |
| At a press briefing, Downing Street said that the prime minister and the government were aware in advance that the Ecuadorians intended to revoke Julian Assange’s asylum status, allowing him to be arrested earlier today. | At a press briefing, Downing Street said that the prime minister and the government were aware in advance that the Ecuadorians intended to revoke Julian Assange’s asylum status, allowing him to be arrested earlier today. |
| A number 10 spokeswoman said: “There has been a dialogue with [the] Ecuadorian government from the onset. The decision to revoke asylum was one for them entirely. They have set that out.” | A number 10 spokeswoman said: “There has been a dialogue with [the] Ecuadorian government from the onset. The decision to revoke asylum was one for them entirely. They have set that out.” |
| When pressed whether the UK had lobbied Ecuador, she repeated that the decision was “taken entirely by them”.Downing Street did not respond directly when asked if Assange’s arrest raised any questions for freedom of speech. The spokesman said the WikiLeaks founder would now be subject to “an ongoing legal process, and we need to let that run its course”. | When pressed whether the UK had lobbied Ecuador, she repeated that the decision was “taken entirely by them”.Downing Street did not respond directly when asked if Assange’s arrest raised any questions for freedom of speech. The spokesman said the WikiLeaks founder would now be subject to “an ongoing legal process, and we need to let that run its course”. |