Assange Says That The Wikileaks Witch-Hunt By The US Must End, Faces Extradition To Sweden
Speaking from Ecuador’s Embassy in London, WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, spoke to the media and supporters expressing the need to put an end to the “witch-hunt” against his organization and its staff and supporters.
In facing extradition to Sweden, Assange spoke of the United States and its efforts against WikiLeaks, in saying, “As WikiLeaks stands under threat, so does the freedom of expression and the health of our societies. We must use this moment to articulate the choice that is before the government of the United States of America. Will it return to and reaffirm the values it was founded on? Or will it lurch off the precipice dragging us all into a dangerous and oppressive world in which journalists fall silent under the fear of prosecution and citizens must whisper in the dark?”
Assange, while speaking from the embassy, also thanked the Latin American country for asylum and also mentioned that he would not like to give political statements or face a nullification of his status.
Under the watchful eyes of about 100 policemen who has surrounded the embassy just in case Assange attempted to make an escape, he also said that the United States must ‘dissolve its FBI investigation’ but also make a pledge so as to not act against journalists who are trying to shine a light on rich and powerful people. He also thanked the people of the UK, US, Australia and Sweden for their support even though their governments have done otherwise.
In granting Assange asylum, tension between Britain and Ecuador have also escalated, and the British government has clearly stated that it will not allow Assange safe passage out of the country.