We're beginning with the news which today hit the headlines of every world's agency. Julian Assange is behind bars. A few hours ago, he was taken to a prison in London where he'll await the next hearing. The founder of WikiLeaks hid in the embassy of Ecuador for 7 years, practically without leaving his room. The difficult conditions of detention, the lack of fresh air and the sunlight couldn't but affect his health and appearance which has been changing over those 7 years, not for the better. When the British policemen dragged Assange out of the residence today, many journalists didn't recognize him. Why did Ecuador throw the founder of WikiLeaks under the bus? And what fate is Assange facing now?
Our correspondent in the UK Alexander Khabarov reporting from London.
Agents wearing civilian clothes literally dragged Julian Assange from the Ecuadorian embassy. It was difficult to recognize the founder of WikiLeaks in that desperately resisting and screaming old man, who was shoved into the police car. Especially if you remember him entering this embassy in June of 2012. We recorded interviews with him twice, and he was always in good shape, focused and believed that he would be able to find freedom, although after the change of administration in Ecuador, these hopes gradually disappeared.
All the previous words of President Lenin Moreno that he wouldn't allow a threat to the life of a person who obtained political asylum, turned out to be part of a planned lie. Before the arrest, WikiLeaks published screenshots of surveillance cameras that confirm that the intelligence services controlled every step of Assange. And the decision on extradition was taken by the Ecuadorian president personally, after which Scotland Yard employees were let to the embassy.
Lenin Moreno, President of Ecuador: "Today, I announce that the rude and aggressive behavior of Julian Assange, the hostile and threatening statements by the organization allying with him against Ecuador, and especially the violation of international agreements led to a situation where granting asylum to Mr. Assange is inappropriate and no longer acceptable".
There's a stir at the Ecuadorian embassy. A Chilean journalist tried to break inside but was quickly pushed out onto the street.
"I think that Lenin Moreno will go down to history as the most disgraceful American vassal".
Moreno's predecessor, the former president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, is filled with rage as it was he who granted political asylum to the founder of WikiLeaks.
“The greatest traitor in Ecuadorian and Latin American history, Lenin Moreno, allowed the British police to enter our embassy in London to arrest Assange. Moreno is a corrupt man, but what he has done is a crime that humanity will never forget.”
Assange's supporters stood on duty at the embassy, although it's clear that he won't return here. They're sure that now their idol will be given to Washington.
"The UK isn't like Russia. Unfortunately, they always kowtow to the US".
British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed in the parliament that Assange was arrested, on the extradition request by the US as well.
Theresa May, Prime Minister of the UK: “I'm sure that the whole House of Commons will welcome the news of the arrest of Julian Assange for violating the terms of release on bail. This shows that no one in the UK can remain outside the law.”
Assange was taken to the Westminster Magistrates' Court from the London Central Police Station. He was calm and greeted the journalists. It was prohibited to shoot inside the building. Before the proceedings began, Assange read the book by the American writer Gore Vidal. This is the only thing he managed to take before being taken out of the embassy. The judge found him guilty of violating the terms of bail in 2012. He faces up to 12 months in prison for this. But the main thing is the extradition to the US whose interests are now represented in court by British prosecutors.
Jennifer Robinson, lawyer of Julian Assange: "We'll fight against the extradition. This creates a dangerous precedent for all of the media and journalists in Europe and all over the world. It means that any journalist can be extradited to the US for publishing true information about the US".
In anticipation of Assange, reporters rushed today at every prison van leaving the courthouse. One of the protesters even laid down under the wheels. The next hearing is scheduled for May 2nd. Assange will remain in custody during this whole time.
His lawyers insist on his innocence. The chances of the defenders of Assange are slim. Earlier, official London ignored the opinion of UN experts, who called the prosecution of the founder of WikiLeaks groundless. It's been conducted since 2010. In Sweden, they're threatening to reopen a criminal case of rape against Assange. It was announced today immediately after everyone learned about his arrest in London.
Julian Assange spent almost seven years in this building without sunshine and fresh air. Now, a new and possibly more dangerous stage of his difficult story begins.
Alexander Khabarov, Ilya Mordyukov for Vesti from the UK.
