JournalismPakistan.com | Published April 11, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's nearly seven-year hideout in Ecuador's London embassy abruptly ended Thursday when police entered the building and arrested him ahead of possible extradition to the United States.
Footage shot by the Russian video news agency Ruptly showed a frantic-looking Assange - his worn face framed by a large white beard and shock of grey hair - being huddled out of the building by plain-clothes security officers and pulled into a waiting police van.
A Ruptly reporter who shot the scene and requested anonymity told AFP that Assange shouted "UK must resist" as he was being dragged into the van.
Assange has been living at the embassy in London's plush Knightsbridge district since 2012 when he sought refuge there after being accused of sexual assault in Sweden - allegations that have since been dropped.
A British police statement said Assange was then "further arrested on behalf of the United States authorities, at 10:53 hrs after his arrival at a central London police station.
"This is an extradition warrant under Section 73 of the Extradition Act."
WikiLeaks accused Ecuador of breaching international law by withdrawing his asylum.
"Ecuador has illegally terminated Assange political asylum in violation of international law," the whistleblowing website said on Twitter.
Assange is wanted by Britain for violating prior bail conditions -- a minor charge that WikiLeaks fears will be used as a pretext for extraditing him to the United States. There he potentially faces a far more serious case linked to the publication of classified US defense material.
Britain's Europe and Americas Minister Alan Duncan said London was "very grateful to the government of Ecuador under president (Lenin) Moreno for the action they have taken".
Moreno himself said that he had "asked Great Britain for the guarantee that Mr. Assange will not be extradited to any country in which he could suffer torture or face the death penalty."
"The British government has confirmed this in writing," he said in a video message.
The United States applies the death penalty in both federal and state courts. Treason charges are punishable by death in times of war -- but Washington has refused to confirm reports that it had indicted Assange on unspecified charges.
Assange's case has opened up explosive debate about security and free speech.
His supporters view him as a crusader who fearlessly exposes injustices such as torture and alleged war crimes committed by the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The 47-year-old Australian's critics accuse him of cozying up to authoritarian leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and putting Americans' lives at risk. - AFP
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.