WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange Granted Political Asylum by Ecuador
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been granted political asylum by Ecuador, the country’s Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino announced Thursday. However, the question remains how he will get out of the country’s embassy in London without trouble from officials, who have said they plan to stop his exit. Assange is hoping to avoid being sent to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over allegations of rape and sexual assault. He fears the country will then turn him over to the U.S. Among the first to break the news on Twitter was @BBCBreaking. Julian #Assange says being granted asylum by Ecuador is a “significant victory” bbc.in/OkGFDz #Wikileaks — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 16, 2012 The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office quickly shared their reaction to the government of Ecuador’s decision on Twitter. We are disappointed by the statement from Ecuador’s Foreign Minister that #Ecuador has offered political asylum to Julian #Assange. — Foreign Office (FCO) (@foreignoffice) August 16, 2012 According to the BBC, the UK may be able to revoke diplomatic protection from an embassy under domestic law. However, WikiLeaks has labeled that as impossible under international law. UK Diplomatic & Consular Premises Act 1987 may allow diplomatic immunity of an embassy on British soil to be revoked – BBC’s @stuartdhughes — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 15, 2012 Which is of course just spin. The UK is under a binding obligation to recognize asylum, the rights of refugees and its other UN agreements. — WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 16, 2012 WikiLeaks spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson told the Agence France-Press on Thursday that she hopes “that the UK authorities are sensible enough not to enter the embassy without permission, which would risk upsetting diplomatic relations all over the world.” Sweden’s government has told the Ecuadorian ambassador to its country that the asylum decision is “unacceptable,” per the Associated Press: BREAKING: Sweden summons Ecuador’s ambassador, calls Assange asylum decision “unacceptable” — The Associated Press (@AP) August 16, 2012 UK-based Citizen journalist James Albury has uploaded video of earlier demonstrations outside Ecuador’s embassy in London. According to Albury, Ecuadorian nationals were protesting the possible intrusion of British law enforcement into Ecuador’s sovereign territory. Your browser does not support iframes. Assange first requested asylum from Ecuador June 19 and has resided at the country’s London embassy ever since. This story initially cited @AntDeRosa as one of the first tweeters, but has been edited. Alex Fitzpatrick contributed to this report. Julian Assange: His History and Story Julian Assange Julian Assange, 40, is an Australian-born political activist and journalist known for his controversial website WikiLeaks, which has published leaked documents that allege government and corporate misconduct. Assange fell into his career path after he was a hacker-activist in his early days. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Exposing the Government From publishing material about extrajudicial killings in Kenya to toxic waste dumping in Côte d’Ivoire, Assange has long sought to bring controversial concepts to the forefront. On 28 November 2010, WikiLeaks and its five international print media partners (Der Spiegel, […]