Assange - foreign office threaten to arrest him

[Empusa]

Article here

They are talking about revoking the Ecuadorian embassy's diplomatic immunity in order to enter the embassy.

Wonder if they will actually do so?

Interesting comments from Geoffrey Robertson QC, namely that simply withdrawing the legislation isn't really a possibility because it would be contrary to international law. Also would put British diplomats all over the world at risk.

I don't think his comments are fun. he didn't mention the case in Sweden at all and if it was an issue of him being persecuted for freedom of speech, I'd be the first to back him up and protesting.

he is very clever though as he's diverting attention from the fact that he is being extradited to Sweden to be interviewed for an alleged sexual offence, and managing to get lots of support.

The other issues are bigger. He is doing the right thing. I realise I am just about the only pro Assange person on mumsnet, though.

Yes Robertson and others are right about Hague's own goal. If we are saying embassies can be stormed how many do we have cxompared to Ecuador - 8x more I think so we are saying to iran, Syria, North Korea - you are free to storm us. What a mess this government has made of it all. Just let him go to Ecuador. We don't need to worry about all this.

Mind you to be fair I think our embassy in Iran was over run fairly recently and they did some looting in it so that is not my best example.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/9485941/Julian-Assange-Ecuadorian-embassy-statement-in-full.html

Statement in full.

Hahaha at him talking about US/UK curtailing journalists freedoms while asking for asylum from Ecuador

What a twat.

Name one thing that Assange has thrown the light on?

Xenia,well said, totally agree - let him go to Ecuador and be their problem. Can you imagine Frane or any other USA -lapdog country going to the extremes the UK have - he should heve been let slip away long ago so we can concentrate on our own probelems,aand let the Swedish , -be led a merry dance extradite him form Ecuador if tehy really think the 'questioning' has a firm basis. - I used to respect William Hague - no respect at all for him now.

Good, someone agreeing with me. I am in the Asssange supporter's club of mumsnet. It has one member. My reward is a night with him in the embassy... I jest.

IPm surpised at you Xenia sticking up for an alleged rapist.

He's Australian isn't he ? Australia are keeping quiet about it all .

Let him go to Ecuador - not our problem.

Tuna, he is our problem because we have agreed, after due legal process, to extradite him to or European neighbour country Sweden.

Or = our

I am surprised at you Novack for assuming a person is guilty before even charged.

Novack didn't, hence the word "alleged".

It's tricky to see how one can be an "Assange supporter", in all it's aspects and still sign up to the We Believe You" Campaign.

Novack used the alleged word Xenia. Not sure how you missed that.

Alleged is not a cop out. It means an allegation has been made.

What word would you use then?

no cop out Mrs. Correct use of the word in these circs.

"Rape is a serious crime"

It is isn't it. Serious enough that someone who has allegedly committed that particular crime should be forced to face justice?

His supporters seem to always forget that he is a convicted criminal. If he is innocent then he can easily prove that. The fact is he has taken no steps to prove his innocence, even today he rambled on about free speech which has nothing to do with his case whatsoever. He never once addresed the allegations against him as did neither Baltasar his lawyer not in english or in Spanish. Why?? He could had stood and said he did not rape the women. He did not. Instead he whittered on about free speech which he has never been denied. He is still interviewed on the BBC by telephone etc.

The US first amendment is very clear about his rights to free speech. On the other hand if you'd ever signed the official secrets act in the UK you'd know that that too is very clear about how you will leave yourself open to prosecution.

But again name one good thing he has managed with wikileaks that was not already public domain?

Also, the Swedish police have questioned the parties at least once already, sought and received an international arrest warrant from their own courts, supported by Interpol, and had the extradition request approved by the UK High Court and that decision upheld on appeal.

Some playground.

What has he been convicted of Novack? I've missed that bit.

Two woman who always lived in Sweden, good supporters or wikileak type causes for years, never have a history of love for the right wing US types or indeed governments in general work tirelessly for someone they admire then after he meets them takes advantage of the situation and flees they are suddenly puppets of the US.

lol This is not an episode of spooks where they are sleeper agents. They are two woman who have taken a serious complaint to the police about being raped. No hidden agenda no ulterior motives except they want justice for themselves which is the cause they have always pursued for anyone.

LePan He was in prison for hacking.

Lots of people are accused of rape and it is very wrong to give an impression they are guilty until proven so.

Anyway I know the whole of mumsnet is anti Assange so I cannot see much point in having any kind of debate about it.

We shall just have to watch developments and/or help get him out (or help keep him in depending on your view point).. For the record I did not put up any of his bail monies.. laughing as I type.