‘Assange due to make an appearance’ – spokesman
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, holed up in Ecuador’s London embassy for nearly two months, was caught up in a spreading diplomatic row yesterday as the ex-hacker prepared to face the world’s media. As the Organisation of American States called a...
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, holed up in Ecuador’s London embassy for nearly two months, was caught up in a spreading diplomatic row yesterday as the ex-hacker prepared to face the world’s media.
As the Organisation of American States called a meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the diplomatic standoff sparked by Ecuador granting Assange asylum, the Australian national was today expected to deliver a first statement since March.
Wikileaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson told AFP that he would not be providing any details of how the appearance by Assange, scheduled for 3 p.m. today, would take place amid the possibility that he could be arrested.
“I don’t have any details on how it is going to be carried out,” Hrafnsson said by phone yesterday, adding that the little he knew could not be discussed “for security reasons”.
As fewer than 10 police officers and a handful of Assange supporters stood outside the embassy yesterday, a police spokesman said officers would act “in an appropriate manner” if faced with an appearance by Assange.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said that the embassy building’s common areas such as its stairwells were considered British territory. An appearance by Assange here could therefore lead to his arrest, raising speculation that he would speak from a balcony.
Ecuador last Thursday granted asylum to Assange – whose website enraged the US by publishing a vast cache of confidential US government files.
The 41-year-old took refuge at Ecuador’s embassy in London on June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over alleged sexual misconduct.
Despite Ecuador providing a haven for Assange, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain was obliged under its own laws to extradite him to Sweden.
Assange’s statement today has therefore sparked questions.
Wikileaks said on Twitter he would speak in front of the embassy, though it did not specify whether this would involve leaving the premises and, if so, how he would do so without being arrested.