With Assange inside, British police guard Ecuador embassy

YuriOtani Aug. 18, 2012 - 06:36AM JST It matter not what charges he may face in Sweden, he has been granted the protection of the government of Ecuador. The British should of quietly let him leave the country. Now the world watches to see if the UK are thugs?

Apparently Assange could not be extradited to the U.S. from the U.K. based on any of the possible charges against him. But that wouldn't be true in Sweden. Which gives rise to plenty of reasons why Sweden and the U.K. might be under heavy diplomatic pressure to get Assange to Sweden, even to the point of threatening to enter the embassy to get him. There's plenty of evidence that the U.S. is sitting on an indictment for Assange.

Ecuador has no other recourse under threat. The British have threatened their Embassy in London. They are using domestic law to trump international law. They made the threat in writing both in the UK and Ecuador. It matter not what charges he may face in Sweden, he has been granted the protection of the government of Ecuador. The British should of quietly let him leave the country. Now the world watches to see if the UK are thugs? I do not believe for a second they would not violate the Embassy then try damage control. The stakes are too high and the Americans are demanding action.

What made the two women agree to press charges? They had no interest in doing so until they were "pressured" into it...so that this entire farce could proceed.

"Assange defends the publishing of classified diplomatic cables as a right to freedom of expression, but turned to a country that has been accused of limiting press freedom in recent years............."

@Tyler Vandenberg:

That does sound a little A$$ backwards on both parties' part doesn't it.

"If they actually charged him with something, I'd agree with you. But, until they do, they've got no right to ask any country to send him to Sweden. It's a joke."

@lucabrisi:

I'm not so sure that this is necessarily true. I'm no legal expert, but if Sweden wanted to question Assange, or subpeona him for questioning on a legal matter, and he won't return on his own free will, then I think they could ask Britain to extradite him. His refusing to go back could be considered obstruction of justice.

@toguro

Going to bed now, Afraid of a knock at the door ,,,, ;)

"Obviously I've got no concrete proof. If I did, I'd be dead by now."

@lucabrisi:

Don't flatter yourself. LOL (^_^)

"Obviously I've got no concrete proof. If I did, I'd be dead by now. But the way Australia, the UK and (of all countries) Sweden have been persecuting Assange suggests a puppet-master somewhere."

@lucabrisi:

Maybe these other countries have their own agenda, or issues with Assange? Has it been proven that he's not guilty of the things his two employees have accused him of?

El Bud... Obviously, this guy is in big trouble because he compromised things (not only) the US were doing but all sorts of international stuff. I understand why people think they have the right to all the details... but sometimes... they just don't. Stop messing up what the pros are trying to fix.... I'm an 8 year vet and I can't tell you that I was ever told to do anything but the correct thing.

@toguro

Obviously I've got no concrete proof. If I did, I'd be dead by now. But the way Australia, the UK and (of all countries) Sweden have been persecuting Assange suggests a puppet-master somewhere.

"Why do you think the Aussie government would suddenly treat one of their own so cavalierly and with such disrespect if they weren't being leant on by a much more powerful nation? And I very much doubt China or Russia are involved."

@lucabrisi:

I have absolutely no idea. I just think that those are bold accusations without any concrete proof. With regards to China or Russia, I doubt they are involved either, unless maybe he has leaked state secrets of theirs.

@toguro

Why do you think the Aussie government would suddenly treat one of their own so cavalierly and with such disrespect if they weren't being leant on by a much more powerful nation? And I very much doubt China or Russia are involved.

"Gillard said his actions were illegal, and then had to retract after the cops told her he'd done nothing wrong.

The Aussie government tried to charge him with treason (when was the last time that happened?), but couldn't come up with any way to substantiate it.

The Aussie cops tried to find a way to confiscate his passport, and guess what? They couldn't find a valid reason.

So if I were Mr Assange, I'd be pretty wary of my own government/judiciary."

@lucabrisi:

So how does this make the Australian government "corrupt puppets of the USA" as you have hinted?

Assange defends the publishing of classified diplomatic cables as a right to freedom of expression, but turned to a country that has been accused of limiting press freedom in recent years.............

This from an Ecuador paper, La Hoy:

Never before has the country attracted such close attention, except perhaps during our border conflicts with Peru, our various coups d'etat or the 30 September affair. We are, unfortunately, very popular...

The "righteous" cause in favour of Assange, which many of our compatriots have not enjoyed, guarantees weeks of distraction...

Since Assange gave the government privileged information about North American diplomacy towards Ecuador and interviewed President Correa in a very flattering manner, there has been a tacit agreement with the famous computer expert... As the French philosopher Blaise Pascal said: "The heart has its reasons, that reason knows not."

He gave Ecuador information?

Not quite universal support for their own embassy's actions in Ecuador.

Which is exactly what you'd expect when you have a government and an opposition. What's your point?

Will Grant, the BBC's correspondent in the Ecuadorean capital Quito, said opponents of President Rafael Correa on the national assembly felt the diplomatic spat with Britain was unnecessary and Ecuador had no right to get involved.

Not quite universal support for their own embassy's actions in Ecuador.

@toguro

How so?

Gillard said his actions were illegal, and then had to retract after the cops told her he'd done nothing wrong.

The Aussie government tried to charge him with treason (when was the last time that happened?), but couldn't come up with any way to substantiate it.

The Aussie cops tried to find a way to confiscate his passport, and guess what? They couldn't find a valid reason.

So if I were Mr Assange, I'd be pretty wary of my own government/judiciary.

All the Police need to do is get a couple of WPCs to dress as Swedish maids and he'll come running out with his tongue hanging out. ;)

"Extradition to the States, solitary confinement, sexual humiliation, waterboarding, execution.... What more do you want?"

@lucabrisi:

If he is a man of conviction that strongly believes in what he is doing, then he should have no fear.

"Of the USA? Very likely."

@lucabrisi:

How so?

What is Julian Assange so afraid of?

Extradition to the States, solitary confinement, sexual humiliation, waterboarding, execution.... What more do you want?

are his own government also corrupt puppets?

Of the USA? Very likely.

"What is the American and British government so afraid about??"

@Elbuda Mexicano:

What is Julian Assange so afraid of?

So if you don't want him sent back to Sweden, would the embassy allow Swedish police in to question him? I doubt it. Why didn't he go to the Australian embassy? Or are his own government also corrupt puppets?

With Assange inside, British police guard Ecuador embassy

That should read "blockade," not "guard."

@Thunderbird2

The man is fugitive from justice and was asked by Sweden to send him back to answer for his crimes...

But Sweden won't charge him with anything. How can you demand the extradition of a person who's not been charged? They're making a mockery of the legal system.

If they actually charged him with something, I'd agree with you. But, until they do, they've got no right to ask any country to send him to Sweden. It's a joke.

Will the embassy get a helicopter to fly above the embassy so Assange can climb a rope ladder into it and escape to freedom?

The man is fugitive from justice and was asked by Sweden to send him back to answer for his crimes... what's so difficult to understand? He should be treated the same as the Sea Shepherd guy.

Julian Assange is strange.

What is the American and British government so afraid about??