Julian Assange's first interview from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London

[pennyw]

Julian Assange is about to spend his third night in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London as he awaits a decision on his bid for asylum.

In his first interview since arriving at the embassy, he tells us why he chose to seek asylum in Ecuador.

Listen:Friday 22 June 2012 6:07AM (view full episode)

abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/julian-assange-exclusive/4085686

 

[waltky]

Uncle Ferd says mebbe he can take a fairy boat...

Assange Gets Asylum in Ecuador, But How Will He Get There?
August 16, 2012, — Ecuador forcefully rejected pressure from Britain and announced Thursday that it was granting political asylum to Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, who has been holed up for two months in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London trying to avoid extradition to Sweden.

The decision, citing the possibility that Mr. Assange could face “political persecution” or be sent to the United States to face the death penalty, escalated the unusually sharp strains between Ecuador and Britain, and drew an angry rebuttal from Sweden. The Ecuadorean move protects Mr. Assange from British arrest, but only on Ecuadorean territory, leaving him vulnerable if he tries to leave the embassy to head to an airport or train station.

Ecuador’s foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, made the announcement at a news conference in the Ecuadorean capital, Quito. “The government of Ecuador, faithful to its tradition of protecting those who seek refuge in its territory or in its diplomatic missions, has decided to grant diplomatic asylum to Julian Assange,” he said, reading from a government communiqué. He added, “There are indications to presume that there could be political persecution,” and said Mr. Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States and could face the death penalty there.

Mr. Patiño said he hoped that Britain would permit Mr. Assange to leave the embassy for Ecuador. But at a news conference on Thursday in London, the British foreign secretary, William Hague, repeated the government’s stance that Britain was legally bound to to extradite Mr. Assange to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over accusations that he sexually assaulted two women.

Tensions between Britain and Ecuador had been building over Britain’s efforts to secure a handover of Mr. Assange. Mr. Hague described a multitude of negotiations for a handover, including “seven formal discussions as well as many other conversations.” But Wednesday night, Mr. Patiño said the British authorities had threatened to force their way into the embassy, adding, “We are not a British colony.” On Thursday, just before the announcement of asylum, President Rafael Correa said on his Twitter account: “No one is going to terrorize us!” The president of the National Assembly of Ecuador called a special session for Thursday evening to discuss the perceived threat against the embassy by the British government.

MORE

 

[waltky]

Granny says, "Dat'll learn `em, dern `em...

Assange supporters forfeit bail money
Oct. 8,`12 (UPI) -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's supporters must fork over bail money forfeited after he sought asylum in London's Ecuadorean Embassy, a judge ruled Monday.

The court said the payment guarantees, by individuals called sureties, must be made within a month by nine of Assange's friends and backers who pledged 140,000 pounds ($224,448) in 2010 to assure he would abide by bail conditions during a failed legal challenge to extradition proceedings brought by Swedish authorities.

Assange, a citizen of Australia, faces allegations of rape and sexual assault in Sweden, and violated his bail conditions in June when he took refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, the British newspaper The Guardian reported Monday.

In announcing the ruling at Westminster Magistrates' Court, chief magistrate Howard Riddle said he accepted the sureties "acted in good faith," but the bail system would be undermined if the cash they put up was not forfeited.

Read more: Assange supporters forfeit bail money - UPI.com

 

[MikeK]

Have any details of the rape allegations against Assange been made public? What is he alleged to have done?