Sweden Framing Assange, British Spy Messages Said to Say
The WikiLeaks founder revealed internal conversations among employees of Britain's intelligence agency in which agents apparently speculate that he is the target of a "fit-up" by Swedish authorities seeking his extradition on rape charges.
The WikiLeaks founder revealed internal conversations among employees of Britain’s intelligence agency in which agents apparently speculate that he is the target of a “fit-up” by Swedish authorities seeking his extradition on rape charges.
Assange, who remains in London’s Ecuadorean Embassy to avoid arrest and extradition to Sweden, explained Sunday night in an interview with the Spanish television program “Salvados” that a run-of-the-mill request for information gave him access to instant messages that remained unclassified by the Government Communications Headquarters agency.
Assange said a September 2012 message read: “They are trying to arrest him on suspicion of XYZ . … It is definitely a fit-up. … Their timings are too convenient right after Cablegate.”
The GCHQ confirmed that it released the instant messages to Assange, who claimed the agency had been unaware it might have any information on him that was not classified.
— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.
WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...The Guardian:
A second instant message conversation from August last year between two unknown people saw them call Assange a fool for thinking Sweden would drop its attempt to extradite him.
The conversation, as read out by Assange, goes: “He reckons he will stay in the Ecuadorian embassy for six to 12 months when the charges against him will be dropped, but that is not really how it works now is it? He’s a fool… Yeah … A highly optimistic fool.”
“This is what the spies are discussing amongst themselves,” Assange told the Spanish television presenter Jordi Evolé.
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Ear to the Ground
After 14 years without freedom of movement, the WikiLeaks founder leaves London on a $500,000 flight to avoid stepping on the U.S. mainland.
Opinion
For starters, negotiating a plea deal would help shore up flagging support on the left.
TD Column
He can be extradited if the U.S. gives “assurances” his First Amendment rights will be protected and he doesn’t face the death penalty.
Courts & Law
"The United States is continuing…to seek his extradition," said an attorney for the jailed WikiLeaks journalist.
TD Original
The WikiLeaks founder will get a chance to appeal extradition if assurances aren't made.
Wikileaks founder will claim former Rep. Rohrabacher did so at behest of Trump in 2017 visit; president denies report through spokeswoman.
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