London police arrest WikiLeaks' Julian Assange after Ecuador rescinds asylum

(Image credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

published 11 April 2019

London's Metropolitan Police said Thursday they've arrested WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy "on a warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates' Court on 29 June, 2012, for failing to surrender to the court." The police were "invited into the embassy by the ambassador, following the Ecuadorian government's withdrawal of asylum," the Met said, and Assange "has been taken into custody at a central London police station," pending an appearance before the court.

Ecuador's president, Lenín Moreno, explained in a video that he withdrew Assange's asylum status because of his "repeated violations" of the conditions of Ecuador's protection and hospitality.

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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.

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