Armed police await WikiLeaks' Julian Assange embassy ouster as officials say no decisions made
British police stationed armed officers outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on Friday following tweets from WikiLeaks that Julian Assange could be evicted from the building within “hours to days.”
The exact status of Assange remained unclear though, with some Ecuadorian officials saying there has been no decision on the WikiLeaks founder’s future at the embassy.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted Assange is a “free man” and is allowed to leave the embassy at any time, but many fear that once Assange steps foot outside the building, he will be detained by the authorities.
Not trusting the authorities. Hope JA doesn’t wind up MIA or dead.
U.N. Against Extraditing Wikileaks Founder To U.S.: He Could Be Tourtured There
The UN Special Rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer is alarmed by reports that Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, may be expelled imminently from the Embassy of Ecuador in London, saying he intended to personally investigate the case.
“In my assessment, if Mr. Assange were to be expelled from the Embassy of Ecuador, he is likely to be arrested by British authorities and extradited to the United States,” said the UN expert. “Such a response could expose him to a real risk of serious violations of his human rights, including his freedom of expression, his right to a fair trial and the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.