Assange embassy gamble follows famous precedents
By Richard Allen Greene, CNN
August 20, 2012 — Updated 0020 GMT (0820 HKT)
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange addresses the media and his supporters from the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on Sunday, August 19.
Assange demanded that the United States drop its “witch hunt” against WikiLeaks as he made his first public appearance after months effectively confined to the Embassy of Ecuador in London.
Assange talks with his legal adviser Balthasar Garcon, right, inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London before stepping onto the balcony to make his speech.
Protesters gather Thursday, August 16, outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been living since June. Ecuador announced it would grant Assange asylum over fears of political persecution.
Media gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London after Thursday’s announcement. Meanwhile, Britain vowed to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to Sweden to face questioning on sex crime charges.
Journalist John Pilger arrives to visit Assange, his friend, at the embassy in Knightsbridge.
Police stand guard outside the entrance. The British government insists the UK still has a legal obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden.
Assange supporters scuffled with police, with every moment captured by the dozens of cameramen gathered outside. 
Embassy staff serve coffee to the media waiting outside the building for a glimpse of Assange.HIDE CAPTION
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
What now for Assange?
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
>
>>
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Julian Assange is seeking to avoid extradition by claiming asylum at an embassy
- Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng spent six days at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing
- A Catholic cardinal lived in an embassy in Hungary for 15 years
- Manuel Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican embassy in Panama in 1989
(CNN) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is trying to avoid extradition from Britain to Sweden over allegations of rape and other sex crimes by seeking asylum at the embassy of Ecuador in London. Assange’s move is dramatic, but he’s not the first person to seek an escape route through a diplomatic mission. Here are some key precedents.
Chen Guangcheng. U.S. Embassy in Beijing, 2012. The self-taught lawyer and activist escaped house arrest one night in April and fled to the U.S. Embassy, where he spent six days before leaving for medical treatment. Chen later flew out of China with his family for a fellowship at New Yor
1000
k University.
Ecuador grants asylum to WikiLeaks’ Assange
Jozsef Mindszenty. U.S. Embassy in Hungary, 1956-1971. Vocally anti-Communist Hungarian Catholic Cardinal Mindszenty lived in the U.S. Embassy in Budapest for 15 years after the Soviet-led invasion of his country. He finally agreed to go into exile and died in Austria in 1975.
Assange will be arrested if he comes out of embassy in London, police rep. says
Assange granted asylum in Ecuador
Chen Guangcheng’s life in New York
Svetlana Alliluyeva. U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, 1967. Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s only daughter got permission to bring her lover’s ashes to India, then defected by walking into the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and burning her passport. She lived in the United States as Lana Peters until her death last November.
Manuel Noriega. Vatican Embassy in Panama City, 1989. U.S. forces invaded Panama to topple and arrest Noriega, prompting the dictator to seek refuge in the Holy See’s mission. American troops set up large speakers around the compound, blaring music at all hours, a psychological ploy to rattle the general. He surrendered after 10 days and was taken to the United States for trial. He was found guilty of drug trafficking and other crimes.
Wang Lijun. U.S. Consulate in Chengdu, China, 2012. One of China’s best-known police chiefs sought refuge at a U.S. consulate amid a mystery over the death of British businessman Neil Heywood, a family fr
1000
iend of Wang’s boss, top Communist party official Bo Xilai. The case was reopened after Wang’s intervention, which appeared to implicate Bo — but Wang was taken into Chinese custody when he left the diplomatic mission and has not been seen since.
Why Assange needs Ecuador and Ecuador needs Assange
240
214
239
8e6
Part of complete coverage on
WikiLeaks
November 10, 2011 — Updated 1738 GMT (0138 HKT)
From “Climategate” to leaked diplomatic cables, CNN takes an inside look at the WikiLeaks organization.
August 16, 2012 — Updated 1407 GMT (2207 HKT)
From the issuing of an arrest warrant, to a decision on Assange’s asylum, see how the story has developed.
June 30, 2012 — Updated 1949 GMT (0349 HKT)
Julian Assange is waiting to hear if Ecuador will grant him asylum. He’s dangling from a cliff, for sure. Hanging by a pinky next to him — WikiLeaks.
July 3, 2012 — Updated 1407 GMT (2207 HKT)
Monica Attard discusses why in spite of expectations, Australia is unlikely to come to Julian Assange’s aid.
August 17, 2012 — Updated 1427 GMT (2227 HKT)
Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa and Assange have mutual interests and support the idea that the U.S. is a power that has to be checked.
August 20, 2012 — Updated 0020 GMT (0820 HKT)
Assange’s move is dramatic, but he’s not the first person to seek an escape route through a diplomatic mission. Here are some key precedents.
May 30, 2012 — Updated 0931 GMT (1731 HKT)
Assange is a self-appointed champion of free speech and the founder of a web operation that has greatly antagonized the U.S. government.
An in-depth look at the young soldier suspected of leaking U.S. military intelligence published by WikiLeaks.
July 6, 2012 — Updated 0102 GMT (0902 HKT)
WikiLeaks said it has begun publishing some 2.4 million e-mails from Syrian politicians, government ministries and companies dating back to 2006.
April 18, 2012 — Updated 0039 GMT (0839 HKT)
Julian Assange is expected to host a talk show, “The World Tomorrow,” on a state-funded Russian television network.
April 17, 2012 — Updated 1414 GMT (2214 HKT)
Watch a promo for Julian Assange’s new talk show, airing on Russia’s RT channel.
March 18, 2012 — Updated 1524 GMT (2324 HKT)
While under house arrest in England, the WikiLeaks founder has decided to run for a seat in the Australian Senate.
17f
72
239
122
245
ff6
Continue reading:
Recent Comments