WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who was living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012, has now been arrested. This confirmation came from the London Metropolitan police on the 11th of April, 2019. He is currently in the custody of the police and has been held at a police station in central London.
While he was being arrested, Julian Assange pleaded that “London must resist this attempt by the Trump administration.” Let us take a closer look at the arrest of Assange:
Why Was Julian Assange Arrested?
The primary reason behind Assange’s arrest was that while he was a fugitive from his home country of Sweden, he was officially granted asylum by Ecuador. This meant that he could live in an Ecuadorian embassy and be safe from the law of land.
However, Assange was arrested once Ecuador revoked the asylum status they granted to him. The London Police added that Julian Assange was “further arrested” because the US authorities have an extradition warrant against the WikiLeaks founder.
Julian Assange Arrested: What Happens Next?
Following his arrest, the police will detain him till an extradition hearing takes place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Last year, Assange had appointed Icelandic journalist Kristinn Hrafnsson to replace him as the editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks. His internet access was revoked in March 2018.
WikiLeaks had learnt last year that Assange was about to be expelled from the Ecuador embassy in a matter of ‘hours to days’. Upon his arrest today, Julian Assange was seen with a copy of Gore Vidal’s History of the National Security State in his hand. Stay tuned to us for more details on this story as it breaks.
Top Twitter Reactions to Assange’s Arrest
#JullianAssange:
–#Wikileaks founder
– Published classified information in 2010 against 🇺🇸 govt, which opened investigation.
-🇸🇪 issued arrest warrant in 2010 over rape charges.
– Granted asylum by 🇪🇨 in its 🇬🇧embassy in 2012.
-🇪🇨 withdraws asylum.
– Arrested today by 🇬🇧 police pic.twitter.com/K4MJQBkL5r— Andy (@andyovich) April 11, 2019
RT reports:
"Ecuador withdraws asylum for @wikileaks founder #JulianAssange – president"We need not only an international reaction, but a reaction that respects and maintains international law.
This day brings shame on Ecuador. So sorry @MashiRafael.
EVERYONE #ProtectJulian pic.twitter.com/y8j7RD2HfU
— Cathy Vogan (@CathyVoganSPK) April 11, 2019
Some colorful support for @wikileaks founder #JulianAssange outside court in London. Vivienne Westwood and co. pic.twitter.com/yZcTquLAo9
— Rory Challands (@rorychallands) April 11, 2019
Pretty fucked up world where western governments and politicians responsible for the murder of millions in the Middle East try to convince their populations that the real enemy is a white haired, Middle aged Aussie media publisher who simply told the truth. #JulianAssange
— Serkan Öztürk (@SerkanTheWriter) April 11, 2019
Finding out Pamela Anderson is a huge #JulianAssange support is the most random thing I’ve heard today and it’s not even 8am
— AP1 (@ThatRudeBoyy) April 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/a_mene_zabole/status/1116337909089619976
https://twitter.com/anonymer_alfred/status/1116337835034984448
https://twitter.com/healingworks/status/1116337775282917378
