Yesterday we heard that Ecuador had withdrawn the asylum of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, he was arrested by authorities in the UK.
Now it has been revealed that he has been further arrested in the UK and could face extradition to the US, he has been at the embassy in London since 2012.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that he was further arrested, you can see the official statement from them below.
Julian Assange, 47, (03.07.71) has today, Thursday 11 April, been further arrested on behalf of the United States authorities, at 10:53hrs after his arrival at a central London police station. This is an extradition warrant under Section 73 of the Extradition Act. He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court as soon as possible.
Background of Julian Assange and Wikileaks
Julian Assange is an Australian editor, publisher, and activist who founded WikiLeaks in 2006. WikiLeaks is a non-profit organization that publishes news leaks and classified media provided by anonymous sources. The organization gained international attention in 2010 when it published a series of leaks provided by U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. These leaks included the Collateral Murder video, the Afghanistan war logs, the Iraq war logs, and CableGate, which collectively exposed numerous instances of government and corporate misconduct.
Assange’s activities with WikiLeaks have made him a polarizing figure. Supporters view him as a champion of free speech and transparency, while critics argue that his actions have endangered lives and national security. The U.S. government has been particularly critical of Assange, leading to his fears of extradition and subsequent asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Legal Troubles and Asylum
The reason that Assange avoided custody previously was because he feared that he would be extradited to the US and now it looks like that may happen. It has not been revealed as yet on what charges he will be facing in the US.
Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he was wanted for questioning over allegations of sexual misconduct. Although the Swedish investigation was eventually dropped, Assange remained in the embassy due to fears of being extradited to the United States to face charges related to WikiLeaks’ activities.
During his time in the embassy, Assange continued to run WikiLeaks and remained a controversial figure. His asylum was a point of contention between Ecuador and the UK, with the UK government insisting that Assange should face justice. In 2019, Ecuador’s President Lenín Moreno withdrew Assange’s asylum, citing violations of international conventions and daily life protocols within the embassy.
Implications of Extradition
The potential extradition of Julian Assange to the United States raises numerous legal and ethical questions. If extradited, Assange could face charges under the Espionage Act, which could result in a lengthy prison sentence. His supporters argue that such charges would set a dangerous precedent for press freedom and the protection of whistleblowers.
On the other hand, critics of Assange argue that his actions have caused significant harm to national security and diplomatic relations. They believe that he should be held accountable for his role in publishing classified information.
The case of Julian Assange is likely to continue to be a focal point in discussions about the balance between national security and freedom of the press. As the legal proceedings unfold, it will be important to consider the broader implications for journalists, whistleblowers, and the public’s right to know.
Source Engadget
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.