Assange's refuge in Ecuadorian embassy 'in jeopardy'

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

Julian Assange's nearly six-year refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in London is in danger, opening the WikiLeaks founder to arrest by British authorities and potential extradition to the US, multiple sources with knowledge tell CNN.

While Assange has in the past claimed his position in the embassy was under threat, sources say his current situation is "unusually bad" and that he could leave the embassy "any day now," either because he will be forced out or made to feel so restricted that he might choose to leave on his own. His position there is "in jeopardy," one source familiar with the matter said.

Assange's exit from the embassy could open a new phase for US investigators eager to find out what he knows.

CNN reported in April 2017 that the US has prepared charges to seek the arrest of Assange, who US intelligence agencies believe Russia used as an intermediary to distribute hacked emails from Hillary Clinton's campaign during the 2016 presidential election.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/24/politics/julian-assange-ecuador-embassy-jeopardy/index.html

[BumRushDaShow]

1. "the US has prepared charges to seek the arrest of Assange"

This is the very time for him to go because this administration probably wouldn't do anything other than perhaps allowing Sweden to have him first.

[Demsrule86]

4. I think even this administration will charge him.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. You would think

but given a particular type of subject matter as part of any "charge" that should be front and center, it would be in their best interest to "let Sweden go first".

[Demsrule86]

9. Sweden dropped the charges.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. The UK still has him on charges of fleeing while on bail

so you know... the U.S. will "allow" them to do what they need to for their charges... ahem.

[Demsrule86]

20. I have no doubt but not much point sending him to Sweden...sounds like Assange thinks this is his

best shot...the Trump administration. He may have dirt on Trump too.

[BumRushDaShow]

30. That was my gist.

[Demsrule86]

32. He will never have a better chance...I have no doubt Trump was involved in the theft of the DNC

emails...a modern day watergate...and Assange probably know this.

[BumRushDaShow]

35. Yup and confirming the "compensation" for that will be interesting.

He seems to be analogous to a modern-day G. Gordon Liddy (but without having had government occupations).

[Demsrule86]

36. You are right...hadn't thought of that. It will be interesting. I am trying to take a step back and

not devolve into foaming at the mouth rage at Trump's criminal behavior...bad for my health. If you look at it dispassionately, this is a hell of a story.

[BumRushDaShow]

37. Another thing that came to mind was this -

The year "2013" seems to be a trigger point for when things started happening with Russia. That year keeps popping up - Drumpf there in November 2013, Edward Snowden there in June 2013 (his flight purportedly coordinated by Assange, who at the time was associated with RT, and he supposedly gave them access to what he had).

It's as if once the declaration by the highest levels of the GOP leadership about making sure Obama would be "a one term President" had failed, they were determined to not let that happen again with the next Democratic nominee. And they needed all hands on deck, including help from Russia, to make it so. Given how the tactics of Karl Rove in 2000 & 2004 had been successful but had also been exposed (and ultimately thwarted in 2008 & 2012), they needed to do it again, but on a larger and more insidious scale in 2016.

You are correct - one hell of a story. Ugh.

[Demsrule86]

38. You are right 13 seems to be the trigger...and I firmly believe Trump, his family and campaign

higher ups were in on the fix...hope they all rot in jail.

[Nitram]

2. I remember when I thought Assange was one of the good guys.

[Lucky Luciano]

8. He circled the wagons when he was most likely set up.

I do think it is very likely he was set up...which is why he lashed out and went totally to the darkest of sides.

[Demsrule86]

10. No, he hates Democrats and his true colors showed...he wasn't set up...he joined the Russians in

their attacks on our elections...fuck him...hope he rots in jail.

[Lucky Luciano]

13. Hard to say.

The democrats went after him for leaking ng. A set up is not far fetched...nor is it far fetched that he would want revenge.

Either way, he is now worthless.

[salin]

16. His worthlessness - detailed by a former wikileaker - written in 2013

He doesn't think it was a set up - and explains why.

I find this story (esp once the writer starts describing the real reason he left the organization - and the Russian links show up) - very prescient given Assange's actions across the 2016 election, and since.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/exclusive-former-wikileaks-employee-james-ball-describes-working-with-julian-assange

[Nitram]

27. "civilians mown down in a ghastly battlefield error. Their would-be rescuer--a father taking his

children to school—similarly shot to pieces by a U.S. helicopter gunship, its pilots chatting and laughing as if playing a video game."

At the time I applauded Assange for exposing Bush administration war crimes.

[salin]

28. I did as well. At the time.

[Demsrule86]

19. I agree he is worthless...and his character was revealed as he had no issues with electing Trump.

[wolfie001]

11. He seemed satisfied that Donald Dump won

I think he's a white nationalist who pretends to be anti-war. If anything, he should've focused on his own country's arms exports. Unless, of course, if he was really concerned about the anti-war/aggression movement in the first place:



https://www.thelocal.se/20180226/swedish-arms-exports-topped-11-billion-kronor-last-year

[Lucky Luciano]

14. Revenge for being chased by the democrats?

He’s an asshole to be sure.

[wolfie001]

17. Yes! Obama made it clear he had a cell waiting for him!

[Nitram]

25. No, in retrospect there was a pattern of anti-US leaks and none from Russia or other countries

allied with Russia. They were clearly paying Assange to distribute their dirty work.

[Politicub]

22. I don't have a recollection of him being one of the good guys

He has always been a grandstander and user of people, but didn't show his true stripes until he revealed his embrace of the GOP, Russia and Trump.

[Nitram]

26. He released information about the Iraq war that the Bush administration did not want us to know.

Have you forgotten so soon?

[Demsrule86]

33. Big deal. And that does not come close to balancing his help in electing Trump.

[Nitram]

39. Demsrule, you clearly din't read my post. I wrote "I used to" think he was one of the good guys.

Do you really need me to explain that "used to" means that I don't anymore? What exactly is your point? Do you actually have one?

[Initech]

24. Oh no I knew from day one he was not our friend.

And especially when Trump started running and he went full RWNJ conspiracy theorist. He definitely needs to answer for his crimes.

[Demonaut]

3. into trumps waiting arms and small hands

[zentrum]

5. If there was ever a time

…for him to leave, it's now. Trump will protect him.

[LiberalLovinLug]

23. Exactly what I was thinking

That or if there is charges, Republicans will make sure that it is narrowed down and it skirts over any mention of any benefits to the GOP. Or that it was one-sided against Democrats. They may even get a plea deal so it will all go away and they won't have to deal with it.

[Lucky Luciano]

7. I wonder what position he will get in the administration.

Director of communications?

[paleotn]

15. Yea!!!

If he is convicted in the US, I wonder if Dumpster would pardon him? I mean, after all he did play a major hand in stealing the 2016 election. It's the least the orange shitgibbon could do.

[brooklynite]

18. Do you think he'll get a running start when they kick him out of the door?

[orangecrush]

21. It's safe for him to leave

with tRump in office.

Assange is one more russian asset.

Fuck him.

[Jake Stern]

29. Sadly I believe his days are numbered.

TrumPutin got what they wanted from him, he's now a liability and expendable. He's going to be whacked by the FSB, the question is when.

Perhaps he believes that Ol' Donny or Vlad will take him into their bosom despite the fact that both have shown they have loyalty to nobody and are more than willing to toss people aside when convenient.

Even Putin knows that sooner or later a Dem president and/or congress will be in power and he'll have to play sweetie pie again so offing Assange is a surefire way to permanently zip the lips of an incorrigible loudmouth.

[Mosby]

31. per msnbc

Assange has sent a message directly to Rep Adam Schiff, ranking Dem on House Intel committee, that he wants to speak to his investigators.

[DeminPennswoods]

34. Interesting...

That sounds like Assange is willing to give Trump/Russia up in order to save himself. I'm sure the intermediary here is Roger Stone.