Ecuador has cut off WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's internet access, won't say why
So maybe Pamela Anderson didn't kill Julian Assange with a poisoned vegan sandwich after all. Early Monday, WikiLeaks poured fuel on a smoldering conspiracy fire by announcing that Assange's "internet link has been intentionally severed by a state party," and that it had "activated the appropriate contingency plans."
A few hours later, WikiLeaks confirmed that the "state party" is the nation that has granted Assange amnesty while he fights extradition to Sweden to face rape charges he denies.
Assange has been holed up in Ecuador's London embassy for more than four years, and it isn't clear why they cut off his internet now. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that "the Government of Ecuador ratifies the validity of the asylum granted to Julian Assange four years ago" and "we reaffirm that his protection by the Ecuadorean state will continue while the circumstances that led to the granting of asylum remain." This vague response has sparked its own theories, the most prevalent being that Ecuador isn't too fond of Donald Trump, and Assange is clearly aiming his leaks only at Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Or maybe after four years, things are just getting a little cramped in the embassy and this is a polite hint that Assange has overstayed his welcome.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published