Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is arrested at the Ecuadorian embassy in London on a U.S. extradition request amid a seven-year standoff.
Assange was arrested Thursday by British authorities in connection with a U.S. extradition warrant surrounding conspiracy charges.
Assange faces computer hacking conspiracy charges related to his alleged involvement with former military analyst Chelsea Manning in connection with the transmission and release of classified material.
According to a press release, Manning downloaded classified material and sent it to Assange for release.
It went on to suggest Assange would encourage Manning to transmit more information.
“This goes to show that in the United Kingdom, no one is above the law”
Prime Minsiter Theresa May addresses the House of Commons where she welcomes the news of Julian Assange’s arrest. pic.twitter.com/mJEsp39vMc
— euronews (@euronews) April 11, 2019
Manning spent seven years behind bars out of a 35-year sentence before former President Obama granted her clemency.
The former military intelligence analyst sent 750,000 secret military files which critics claim endangered national security and the safety of foreign contacts and other U.S. government workers.
Assange previously held asylum status with Ecuador for seven years, but the Ecuadorian president revoked the status citing his “aggressive behavior.”
JUST IN: U.S. Justice Department accuses WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of conspiracy with Chelsea Manning in 2010 and charges him with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion pic.twitter.com/qKM0BOQRjw
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) April 11, 2019
Ecuadorian officials issued a statement following the arrest saying Assange no longer had asylum status because he was also “interfering in internal affairs of other states.”
Assange could face five years behind bars if found guilty.
