Topic: Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador
beckyderp !CaTLdYmooc started this discussion 14 years ago #21,472
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British and Ecuadoran authorities.
The transparency campaigner has been holed up at the Embassy of Ecuador in London for nearly eight weeks after seeking refuge there in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over alleged sex crimes.
The British Foreign Office made it clear Thursday that Ecuador’s decision does not alter Britain’s intention of fulfilling its legal obligation to extradite Assange. “We shall carry out that obligation,†it said in a statement. “The Ecuadorian government’s decision this afternoon does not change that.â€
At a news conference in Quito, Ecuador’s foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, said Ecuador had decided to grant asylum “because of the fears expressed by Mr. Assange, we believe that his fears are legitimate, and there are threats that he could face political persecution if the measures aren’t taken to avoid them.â€
Patino said Ecuador failed to get guarantees from Britain, Sweden and the United States that Assange would not be extradited from Sweden to the United States. His supporters believe he could be tried for espionage in the United States over his whistle-blowing Web site’s release of hundreds of thousands of confidential military logs and diplomatic cables.
The transparency campaigner has been holed up at the Embassy of Ecuador in London for nearly eight weeks after seeking refuge there in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over alleged sex crimes.
The British Foreign Office made it clear Thursday that Ecuador’s decision does not alter Britain’s intention of fulfilling its legal obligation to extradite Assange. “We shall carry out that obligation,†it said in a statement. “The Ecuadorian government’s decision this afternoon does not change that.â€
At a news conference in Quito, Ecuador’s foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, said Ecuador had decided to grant asylum “because of the fears expressed by Mr. Assange, we believe that his fears are legitimate, and there are threats that he could face political persecution if the measures aren’t taken to avoid them.â€
Patino said Ecuador failed to get guarantees from Britain, Sweden and the United States that Assange would not be extradited from Sweden to the United States. His supporters believe he could be tried for espionage in the United States over his whistle-blowing Web site’s release of hundreds of thousands of confidential military logs and diplomatic cables.
The Truth !XRJSgJUbuM joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later[^] [v] #341,686
Kewl
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 25 minutes later, 29 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,689
But did he rape those bitches or not?
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 9 minutes later, 39 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,695
Britain refused safe passage to Ecuador and has threatened to have the police raid the Ecuadorian embassy and forcibly remove him.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 42 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,700
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 43 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,702
@341,689 (C)
No. Those charges were just made up because he was becoming too "inconvenient". Trufax.
No. Those charges were just made up because he was becoming too "inconvenient". Trufax.
Anonymous F joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 8 minutes later, 52 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,711
He should have gone to a different embassy and claimed to be in the London embassy so he could escape. Now he's really fucked.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 29 seconds later, 52 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,712
@341,702 (E)
But the women. Why are they sticking to this story? If they're being paid it should be fairly easy to prove.
But the women. Why are they sticking to this story? If they're being paid it should be fairly easy to prove.
Anonymous E replied with this 14 years ago, 48 seconds later, 53 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,714
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 55 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #341,715
@341,711 (F)
He's not fucked. Tiny South American countries are desperate to claim their relevance in this world. Especially given Brazil's dominance of the continent.
If Ecuador can get him out, they will. And they will be giving the British the finger the whole fucking time.
He's not fucked. Tiny South American countries are desperate to claim their relevance in this world. Especially given Brazil's dominance of the continent.
If Ecuador can get him out, they will. And they will be giving the British the finger the whole fucking time.
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 41 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #341,726
1. Britain will probably not enter the embassy. Not because they can't legally, but because it would threaten to undermine British diplomatic missions abroad. The FCO is posing.
2. I know he chose Ecuador because it had promised him asylum in the past, but why would he not seek asylum from a country with more clout - like Brazil?
2. I know he chose Ecuador because it had promised him asylum in the past, but why would he not seek asylum from a country with more clout - like Brazil?
(Edited 2 minutes later.)
Anonymous G double-posted this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #341,728
@341,695 (D)
They've not really "threatened", the FCO just made it clear they had the legal power to do so.
They've not really "threatened", the FCO just made it clear they had the legal power to do so.
Anonymous E replied with this 14 years ago, 3 hours later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #341,781
@341,715 (C)
Yeah you go silent when the reptilians are brought up, don't you? 'Cause you know that's what it really is.
Yeah you go silent when the reptilians are brought up, don't you? 'Cause you know that's what it really is.
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 8 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #341,782
@OP
Ecuador has a ugly history re journalists & freedom of speech
Universal Periodic Review: Ecuador must end harsh treatment of journalists
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,ART19,,ECU,,4fbcbce22,0.html
Ecuador has a ugly history re journalists & freedom of speech
Universal Periodic Review: Ecuador must end harsh treatment of journalists
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,ART19,,ECU,,4fbcbce22,0.html