With Britain’s Supreme Court ruling last week that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could be extradited to Sweden, pending a last ditch appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, the whistleblower has found his way into the Ecuadorian embassy in London, seeking political asylum.
Assange’s extradition to Sweden is not explicitly political in nature, rather he is wanted on sexual assault charges. There is more than a little concern from Assange’s legal team that his extradition to Sweden is being sought primarily to transfer him into US custody, where he might face open-ended detention or execution for whistleblowing actions.
Ecuador has confirmed Assange’s request for asylum, and says he will remain in the embassy in London until their government has decided on the request. They gave no indication today which way they were leaning.
But President Correa appeared on Assange’s television program on RT in April, and some have speculated that the two may have had an opportunity to discuss the possibility to Ecuador being a “safe haven” in talks relating to that appearance.
And a smart move by Assange indeed. How Sweden could even consider turning him over to a country that has the death penalty, tortures, locks suspects up in solitary confinement, renditions, and executes people without trial is beyond my comprehension. I always thought of Sweden as a forward thinking, moral country and had high respect for Swedes – what has happened to them? Venezuela is a beautiful country.
Ecuador is where Assange will end up if his request for political asylum is approved by Correa. I saw the interview on RT when Assange had Correa on his program and I think the request will be approved. However, it by no means Assange, or Correa, are safe from the Obama-Hillary death squads that are probably already in place in Ecuador.
Or the drones.
It is beyond my comprehension why Australia, being Assange's native country doesn't afford him the protection he is entitled to as a citizen of that country. But than shamefully Australia (and New Zealand) have recently signed 'defence' pacts with the US. I am sure the overwhelming majority of Aussies, being fair minded people will back him. Shame on PM Julia Gillard for abandoning this courageous Aussie. She should be proud of him and invite him home.
(By the way Sweden could have given Assange (and Britain) a guarrantee that under no circumstances will he be extradited to the US. Not having done so makes Sweden's motives for his transfer to Sweden suspect.)
Well done Ecuador. Such a small country sets an example for the rest of South America, including my own country.
Thanks for the correction Jaime, I thought I had read Venezuela for whatever the reason. Good for Ecuador.
I'm old enough to remember when people used to hide in embassies in the Soviet empire for their safety. Never thought I'd see the day when someone hides in an embassy in Great Britain in order to stay out of American torture camps.
There no such country as great britain they were kicked out of every country worldwide except australia/new zealand and is now america`s lapdog.
Go, Assange, go! Hopefully Correa will do the manly thing and grant him political asylum in Ecuador. Of course, he better hide underground for the rest of his life (or at least until the collapse of the empire) or the drones will be sent to Ecuador on a seek and destroy mission.
"GOD BLESS RUSSIA" not america***^poops was always what it is now hiding behind a facade of democrary but like britain a police state.
The USA is not happy that Mr Assange exposed them as the murderers that they are. He should be given a medal for courage by the people of USA.