WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrested by British police after being evicted from Ecuador's embas

[Denzil_DC]

26. Some background from Twitter:

James Ball is a journalist who was at one time a Wikileaks staffer, but grew seriously disaffected by Assange's running of it:

Link to tweet

James Ball ✔
@jamesrbuk

Key line in the Met statement on Assange: “invited into the embassy by the Ambassador, following the Ecuadorian government's withdrawal of asylum”.

He’s currently only arrested on the charge of breach of bail. The big question is which others may follow.

James Ball ✔
@jamesrbuk

It is still possible for Sweden to reactivate his case there – on the rape allegation alone – and issue a fresh EAW.

Assange could also face an extradition request from the US, over the 2010 Manning disclosures, the 2016 DNC leaks, or other activity.

Link to tweet

James Ball ✔
@jamesrbuk

This is carefully phrased: Ecuador sought and received guarantees Assange wouldn’t be extradited where he could face “torture or the death penalty”.

That doesn’t rule out US extradition – it just means the US would have to rule out the death penalty.

James Ball ✔
@jamesrbuk

That’s an easy guarantee for the UK to give, as it’s essentially impossible for an EU country to extradite someone to face the death penalty under existing human rights law anyway.

Assange should be glad that Brexit's stalled.

Link to tweet

Joe Murphy ✔
@JoeMurphyLondon

Negotiations for Assange's ejection were masterminded by Foreign Office minister @AlanDuncanMP who tells @eveningstandard:

"He had become increasingly rude about the Ecuadorian government. As ever he has been the master of his own downfall."

Link to tweet

Ben Quinn ✔
@BenQuinn75

And with the headlines in mind

Sajid Javid ✔
@sajidjavid

Nearly 7yrs after entering the Ecuadorean Embassy, I can confirm Julian Assange is now in police custody and rightly facing justice in the UK. I would like to thank Ecuador for its cooperation & @metpoliceuk for its professionalism. No one is above the law

Link to tweet

The Associated Press ✔
@AP

The Latest: Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says Russia wants Julian Assange's rights to be observed following his arrest.

Thanks for your concern, Vlad. We know you're always worried about the welfare of journalists.