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| Julian Assange: US justice department says he faces five years in jail – live updates | Julian Assange: US justice department says he faces five years in jail – live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| “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”. |
| Speaking at a press conference in the Ecuadorian capital Quito just after 7am local time, the country’s interior minister María Paula Romo said a person with links to WikiLeaks has been detained in the country. | Speaking at a press conference in the Ecuadorian capital Quito just after 7am local time, the country’s interior minister María Paula Romo said a person with links to WikiLeaks has been detained in the country. |
| She alleged the person had worked alongside Ricardo Patiño, the former foreign minister, in attempts to “destabilise” the government. Patiño granted Assange asylum in 2012 and was a close confidante of ex-president Rafael Correa. | She alleged the person had worked alongside Ricardo Patiño, the former foreign minister, in attempts to “destabilise” the government. Patiño granted Assange asylum in 2012 and was a close confidante of ex-president Rafael Correa. |
| She also said that Assange had smeared faeces on the walls of the embassy in London. | She also said that Assange had smeared faeces on the walls of the embassy in London. |
| In the same press conference, the country’s foreign minister José Valencia said Assange’s Ecuadorean citizenship had been suspended due to the “innumerable problems, breaches of international accords” and his “interference in external matters”. | In the same press conference, the country’s foreign minister José Valencia said Assange’s Ecuadorean citizenship had been suspended due to the “innumerable problems, breaches of international accords” and his “interference in external matters”. |
| Compartimos la intervención del Canciller @ValenciaJoseEc en la rueda de prensa ofrecida esta mañana sobre el retiro del asilo diplomático al señor Julian Assange. #EcuadorSoberano. pic.twitter.com/MCp10zkRFE | Compartimos la intervención del Canciller @ValenciaJoseEc en la rueda de prensa ofrecida esta mañana sobre el retiro del asilo diplomático al señor Julian Assange. #EcuadorSoberano. pic.twitter.com/MCp10zkRFE |
| Julian Assange has been found guilty of breaching bail in 2012 after being arrested at the Ecuadorean embassy in London on Thursday. Judge Michael Snow said he will be sentenced next month at Southwark Crown Court. He said Assange had shown the “behaviour of a narcissist who cannot get beyond his own selfish interest”. | Julian Assange has been found guilty of breaching bail in 2012 after being arrested at the Ecuadorean embassy in London on Thursday. Judge Michael Snow said he will be sentenced next month at Southwark Crown Court. He said Assange had shown the “behaviour of a narcissist who cannot get beyond his own selfish interest”. |
| The United States has requested the extradition of Assange and charged him with involvement in computer hacking with Chelsea Manning. The Metropolitan police said the arrest was made on behalf of the US authorities. | The United States has requested the extradition of Assange and charged him with involvement in computer hacking with Chelsea Manning. The Metropolitan police said the arrest was made on behalf of the US authorities. |
| The US justice department said Assange faces up to five years in jail if convicted. It said extradition request is being handled by its office of international affairs. | The US justice department said Assange faces up to five years in jail if convicted. It said extradition request is being handled by its office of international affairs. |
| Theresa May welcomed Assange’s arrest saying it showed “no one is above the law.” She told MPs Assange was arrested for breach of bail after nearly seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy and in relation to an extradition request from the United States’ authorities. | Theresa May welcomed Assange’s arrest saying it showed “no one is above the law.” She told MPs Assange was arrested for breach of bail after nearly seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy and in relation to an extradition request from the United States’ authorities. |
| Police were videoed forcibly removing Assange from the embassy at around at around 10.50am. Police had been invited into the building by the Ecuadorian embassy, where Assange had take refuge for almost seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden where authorities wanted to question him as part of a sexual assault investigation. | Police were videoed forcibly removing Assange from the embassy at around at around 10.50am. Police had been invited into the building by the Ecuadorian embassy, where Assange had take refuge for almost seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden where authorities wanted to question him as part of a sexual assault investigation. |
| The president of Ecuador, Lenín Moreno, said he secured guarantees from the UK that Assange would not face the death penalty or torture. Justifying the move of handing him over to the British police, Moreno said: “In a sovereign decision, Ecuador withdrew the asylum status to Julian Assange after his repeated violations to international conventions and daily-life- protocols.” | The president of Ecuador, Lenín Moreno, said he secured guarantees from the UK that Assange would not face the death penalty or torture. Justifying the move of handing him over to the British police, Moreno said: “In a sovereign decision, Ecuador withdrew the asylum status to Julian Assange after his repeated violations to international conventions and daily-life- protocols.” |
| Elisabeth Massi Fritz, a lawyer for one of the two women who accused Assange, welcomed the arrest. The Swedish prosecution authority is expected to issue a statement later. | Elisabeth Massi Fritz, a lawyer for one of the two women who accused Assange, welcomed the arrest. The Swedish prosecution authority is expected to issue a statement later. |
| Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow hoped that Assange’s rights would not be violated. A spokeswoman for the foreign ministry accused the UK of strangling freedom. | Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow hoped that Assange’s rights would not be violated. A spokeswoman for the foreign ministry accused the UK of strangling freedom. |
| The arrest was welcomed by the UK government. The foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, thanked Ecuador, saying: “Julian Assange is no hero and no one is above the law. He has hidden from the truth for years.” The home secretary, Sajid Javid, is due to update parliament later on Thursday. | The arrest was welcomed by the UK government. The foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, thanked Ecuador, saying: “Julian Assange is no hero and no one is above the law. He has hidden from the truth for years.” The home secretary, Sajid Javid, is due to update parliament later on Thursday. |
| Assange’s supporters have condemned the arrest. Rafael Correa, who was Ecuadorian president when Assange was granted asylum, accused his successor of treachery. | Assange’s supporters have condemned the arrest. Rafael Correa, who was Ecuadorian president when Assange was granted asylum, accused his successor of treachery. |
| The judge said the assertion that Assange had not had a fair hearing earlier was “laughable”, PA reports. | The judge said the assertion that Assange had not had a fair hearing earlier was “laughable”, PA reports. |
| Judge Michael Snow said Assange will face another hearing by video link on 2 May. | Judge Michael Snow said Assange will face another hearing by video link on 2 May. |
| A crown court will decide what sentence Assange will face for skipping bail. | A crown court will decide what sentence Assange will face for skipping bail. |
| He sends Julian Assange to the Crown Court for sentencing as the offence was so serious | He sends Julian Assange to the Crown Court for sentencing as the offence was so serious |
| He faces up to 12 months in jail, according to PA. | He faces up to 12 months in jail, according to PA. |
| #Breaking Julian Assange has been found guilty of breaching his bail at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and faces a jail sentence of up to 12 months when he is sentenced at Crown Court | #Breaking Julian Assange has been found guilty of breaching his bail at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and faces a jail sentence of up to 12 months when he is sentenced at Crown Court |
| District Judge Michael Snow finds Julian Assange guilty of failing to surrender | District Judge Michael Snow finds Julian Assange guilty of failing to surrender |
| The book Assange was pictured holding during his removal from the embassy this morning – and later read in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court – was Gore Vidal: History of The National Security State. | The book Assange was pictured holding during his removal from the embassy this morning – and later read in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court – was Gore Vidal: History of The National Security State. |
| It’s a strange little book – not written by Vidal as much of the media have reported – but a series of interviews with Vidal conducted over two years by Paul Jay, editor of non-profit news organisation The Real News Network, who self-published the book on Amazon. | It’s a strange little book – not written by Vidal as much of the media have reported – but a series of interviews with Vidal conducted over two years by Paul Jay, editor of non-profit news organisation The Real News Network, who self-published the book on Amazon. |
| It sees Vidal, then in his eighties and keeping a beady eye on the US from his Italian villa, in a ponderous mood as he considers his imminent return stateside. (Hewould die in the Hollywood Hills in 2012 at the age of 86). Considering his future, he tells Jay: “I’m a battleship ... I’m meant for war. But I don’t know if I can do it any more.” | It sees Vidal, then in his eighties and keeping a beady eye on the US from his Italian villa, in a ponderous mood as he considers his imminent return stateside. (Hewould die in the Hollywood Hills in 2012 at the age of 86). Considering his future, he tells Jay: “I’m a battleship ... I’m meant for war. But I don’t know if I can do it any more.” |
| Vidal was a vocal critic of American society and politics, particularly the monopoly of wealth poured into its military and its history of foreign policy. Jay describes Vidal as “a genuine class traitor. [He] could have lived an easier and more celebrated life if he just kept his mouth shut.” | Vidal was a vocal critic of American society and politics, particularly the monopoly of wealth poured into its military and its history of foreign policy. Jay describes Vidal as “a genuine class traitor. [He] could have lived an easier and more celebrated life if he just kept his mouth shut.” |
| In conversation with Jay, Vidal pulls apart US foreign policy, vote-rigging and corruption in the media. | In conversation with Jay, Vidal pulls apart US foreign policy, vote-rigging and corruption in the media. |
| “I think everybody should take a sober look at the world about us, remember that practically everything that you’re told about other countries is untrue, what we’re told about ourselves and our great strength and how much loved we are – forget it. Our strength is there, but it’s the kind of strength that blows off your hand while you hold up the grenade; it’s a suicidal strength as well as a murderous one.” | “I think everybody should take a sober look at the world about us, remember that practically everything that you’re told about other countries is untrue, what we’re told about ourselves and our great strength and how much loved we are – forget it. Our strength is there, but it’s the kind of strength that blows off your hand while you hold up the grenade; it’s a suicidal strength as well as a murderous one.” |
| The BBC’s Daniel Sandford is tweeting updates from Westminster magistrates court. | The BBC’s Daniel Sandford is tweeting updates from Westminster magistrates court. |
| Julian Assange is told that one charge he faces is that he failed to surrender on 29th June 2012. He pleads “not guilty” | Julian Assange is told that one charge he faces is that he failed to surrender on 29th June 2012. He pleads “not guilty” |
| Julian Assange will not give evidence | Julian Assange will not give evidence |
| Assange is sitting in the dock at Westminster magistrates court reading the Gore Vidal book on the security state (see earlier) that he was seen clutching when he was arrested. | Assange is sitting in the dock at Westminster magistrates court reading the Gore Vidal book on the security state (see earlier) that he was seen clutching when he was arrested. |
| Julian Assange sitting in the dock, waiting for proceedings to get underway in court, reading Gore Vidal book.. first time I've seen any accused reading any form of book in the dock, other than their legal documents | Julian Assange sitting in the dock, waiting for proceedings to get underway in court, reading Gore Vidal book.. first time I've seen any accused reading any form of book in the dock, other than their legal documents |
| The indictment against Assange has now been unsealed by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia, in Alexandria, just across the Potomac river from Washington DC. | The indictment against Assange has now been unsealed by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia, in Alexandria, just across the Potomac river from Washington DC. |
| It alleges Assange was involved in a computer hacking conspiracy with Chelsea Manning, a former army intelligence analyst, to crack a defence department password. Cracking that password allowed Manning to log on to a secret government computer network under another username and so cover her tracks when she leaked a vast trove of military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks. | It alleges Assange was involved in a computer hacking conspiracy with Chelsea Manning, a former army intelligence analyst, to crack a defence department password. Cracking that password allowed Manning to log on to a secret government computer network under another username and so cover her tracks when she leaked a vast trove of military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks. |
| Assange is accused of “actively encouraging” Manning to provide more information. According to the indictment, when Manning told him that she had sent WikiLeaks all she had, Assange replied: “Curious eyes never run dry in my experience.” | Assange is accused of “actively encouraging” Manning to provide more information. According to the indictment, when Manning told him that she had sent WikiLeaks all she had, Assange replied: “Curious eyes never run dry in my experience.” |
| This has been in the works for a few months at least. The eastern Virginia prosecutors, who are likely to be taking the lead because theirs is the nearest federal court to the Pentagon, let slip that Assange had had been criminally charged under seal in November, when they wrote his name on the wrong court docket. | This has been in the works for a few months at least. The eastern Virginia prosecutors, who are likely to be taking the lead because theirs is the nearest federal court to the Pentagon, let slip that Assange had had been criminally charged under seal in November, when they wrote his name on the wrong court docket. |
| Lawyer Susan Hennessey says the US charges present the UK authorities with an interesting dilemma. | Lawyer Susan Hennessey says the US charges present the UK authorities with an interesting dilemma. |
| The fact that Assange is only being charged with CFAA violations will make it an interesting question whether the UK will distinguish this from Lauri Love, who successfully fought extradition to the US on hacking charges: https://t.co/FFTN6yeJN2 | The fact that Assange is only being charged with CFAA violations will make it an interesting question whether the UK will distinguish this from Lauri Love, who successfully fought extradition to the US on hacking charges: https://t.co/FFTN6yeJN2 |
| WikiLeaks says that its editor, Kristinn Hrafnsson, and Assange’s UK lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, will be making a statement outside Westminster magistrates court after Assange’s hearing. | WikiLeaks says that its editor, Kristinn Hrafnsson, and Assange’s UK lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, will be making a statement outside Westminster magistrates court after Assange’s hearing. |
| Announce: WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson and UK lawyer for Assange Jennifer Robinson will be making a statement outside Westminster Magistrate's Court after Assange's hearing has concluded. | Announce: WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson and UK lawyer for Assange Jennifer Robinson will be making a statement outside Westminster Magistrate's Court after Assange's hearing has concluded. |