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Ecuadorian Prez justifies withdrawing Assange's asylum status

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Published : Apr 11, 2019, 8:11 PM IST

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Updated : Apr 11, 2019, 9:07 PM IST

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno gave a video statement on Twitter justifying his decision to withdraw Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's asylum status. Moreno's government withdrew Assange's asylum status, citing international convention violations.

Ecuadorian Prez justifies withdrawing Assange's asylum status

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno

Quito: Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno has justified his decision to withdraw asylum status for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a move that led to Assange's arrest in London on Thursday.

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno

Moreno gave a video statement on Twitter in which he cited "repeated violations of international conventions and daily-life protocols".

Also Read: UK Police arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

UK police arrested Assange from the Ecuadorian embassy on a court warrant dating back to 2012.

Assange had taken asylum in the embassy since August 2012 for fear that if he steps off Ecuador's diplomatic soil he will be arrested and extradited to the US for publishing thousands of classified military and diplomatic cables through WikiLeaks.

Also Read: Several missing after train derails in China

Quito: Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno has justified his decision to withdraw asylum status for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a move that led to Assange's arrest in London on Thursday.

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno

Moreno gave a video statement on Twitter in which he cited "repeated violations of international conventions and daily-life protocols".

Also Read: UK Police arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

UK police arrested Assange from the Ecuadorian embassy on a court warrant dating back to 2012.

Assange had taken asylum in the embassy since August 2012 for fear that if he steps off Ecuador's diplomatic soil he will be arrested and extradited to the US for publishing thousands of classified military and diplomatic cables through WikiLeaks.

Also Read: Several missing after train derails in China

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY
SHOTLIST:
++SUBTITLES FROM SOURCE++
PRESIDENTIAL HANDOUT - AP CLIENTS ONLY
No location available - 11 April 2019
1. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Lenin Moreno, Ecuadorian President: ++OVER VARIOUS ANGLES++
"Ecuador is a generous country and a nation with open arms. Ours is a government respectful of the principles of international law, and of the institution of the right to asylum. Granting or withdrawing asylum is a sovereign right of the Ecuadorian state, according to international law. Today I announce that the discourteous and aggressive behavior of Mr. Julian Assange, the hostile and threatening declarations of its allied organization, against Ecuador and especially, the transgression of international treaties, have led the situation to a point where the asylum of Mr Assange is unsustainable and no longer viable. Ecuador sovereignly has decided to terminate the diplomatic asylum granted to Mr. Assange in 2012. For six years and ten months, the Ecuadorian people have protected the human rights of Mr. Assange and have provided for his everyday needs at the facilities of our embassy in London. When I became President of Ecuador I inherited this situation and decided to adopt a protocol to set the daily life rules at the embassy, which is the least that anyone may expect from a guest hosted at his own house. Ecuador has fulfilled its obligations in the framework of international law. On the other hand, Mr. Assange violated repeatedly, clear cut provisions of the conventions on diplomatic asylum of Havana and Caracas, despite the fact that he was requested on several occasions to respect and abide by these rules. He particularly violated the norm of not intervening in the internal affairs of other states. The most recent incident occurred in January 2019, when WikiLeaks leaked Vatican documents. Key members of that organization visited Mr. Assange before and after such illegal acts. This and other publications have confirmed the world's suspicion that Mr. Assange is still linked to WikiLeaks and therefore interfering in the internal affairs of other states. The patience of Ecuador has reached its limit on the behaviour of Mr. Assange. He installed electronic and distortion equipment that was not allowed. He blocked the security cameras of the Ecuadorian Mission in London. He has confronted and mistreated guards. He had accessed the security files of our embassy without permission. He claimed to be isolated and rejected the internet connection offered by the embassy, and yet he had a mobile phone which he communicated with the outside world. While Ecuador upheld the generous conditions of his asylum, Mr. Assange legally challenged in three different instances the legality of the protocol. In all cases, the relevant judicial authorities have validated Ecuador's position. In line with our strong commitment to human rights and international law, I requested Great Britain to guarantee that Mr Assange would not be extradited to a country where he could face torture or the death penalty. The British government has confirmed it in writing, in accordance with its own rules. Finally, two days ago, WikiLeaks, Mr. Assange's allied organisation, threatened the government of Ecuador. My government has nothing to fear and does not act under threats. Ecuador is guided by the principles of law, complies with international law and protects the interests of Ecuadorians. Thank you."
STORYLINE:
Ecuador's president Lenin Moreno has justified his decision to withdrew asylum status for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a move that led to Assange's arrest in London on Thursday.
Moreno gave a video statement on Twitter in which he cited "repeated violations of international conventions and daily-life protocols".
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Last Updated : Apr 11, 2019, 9:07 PM IST

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