Assange: Ecuador Engaging in Espionage, Funnels Info to FBI
JulianĀ AssangeĀ saidĀ thatĀ he is beingĀ spied on andĀ details of hisĀ dailyĀ life areĀ being sentĀ to theĀ FBIĀ in theĀ U.S.
The WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, through a video conference Wednesday, said that he is a victim of espionage in the Ecuadorean embassy in London where he has been living since 2012.
“There are espionage actions (…) That information has been sent even to the FBI, in the United States,” Assange said through a video conference made from the United Kingdom, as part of anĀ appeal hearing held Wednesday before the Ecuadorean justice system.
He also denounced the Ecuadorean authoritiesā threats and objections about his work as a critical journalist,Ā which he characterized as “illegal, with terrible precedents” for the practice of journalism.
Assange said he isĀ living in āsolitary confinementā where he is subjected to different restrictionsĀ regarding visits fromĀ third-party and access to theĀ internet. The restrictions haveĀ started affecting his health.
In October, the whistleblower sued the government overĀ their violatingĀ his fundamental rightsĀ duringĀ his stay in the country’s London embassy as an asyleeĀ āĀ thisĀ was rejected by an Ecuadorean court Monday.
The lawsuit challenged the new rules, which requiredĀ him to pay for medical bills, phone calls andĀ to clean up after his pet cat. Assange’s lawyer said that his client would be appealing the decision and that another hearing would take place in the near future.
He is also fearful that Ecuador can be pressured by the United States to terminate his asylum. Assangeās lawyer Carlos Poveda, said Wednesday that there is no guarantee that Assange will not be extradited to another country where his life will be in danger.
Assangeās possible handover was also hintedĀ at by former President Rafael Correa in an interview with RT. Correa, during whose leadership Assange was granted asylum in the embassy, also mentioned that he is an Ecuadorean citizen since 2017 and deserves his fundamental rights to be protected by the country.
Assangeās fear is not unfounded, as a report by New York Times revealed that Lenin Moreno, currentĀ president of Ecuador,Ā discussed the possibility of handing Assange over to the U.S with Paul Manafort, U.S. President Donald Trumpās former campaign head.
Top leaders in the Democratic Party have also requested that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo brief the CongressĀ on his talks with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Jose Valencia that took place in November, stating that they are “deeply concerned” about whether the talks includedĀ Assange.
Source URL: TeleSUR English
