He’s not been arrested for anything related to WikiLeaks, however. Instead, British police arrested Julian Assange “on behalf of the Swedish authorities on suspicion of rape“. He will appear in court today. Updating live.
As we saw last week, Assange was charged by the Swedish police for “rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion”, and a notice was put out for him to turn himself in. He has been rumoured to be hiding somewhere in Britain, but according to Sky News today, he presented himself to a London police station at 9.30am GMT (8.30pm AEDT), where he was arrested on behalf of Sweden.
According to the City of Westminster’s magistrates court, he must appear before the court by 12.30pm (12.30am AEDT), unless the judge allows him a later hearing – which it’s expected will be granted.
Wikileaks’ spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson has said that while Assange has been arrested, WikiLeaks’ will continue releasing cables – potentially even an encryption code for all the remaining cables, which they threatened to release if Assange was ever arrested.
In fact, WikiLeaks tweeted that “[t] oday’s actions against our editor-in-chief Julian Assange won’t affect our operations: we will release more cables tonight as normal.”
Assange has now been in court and was reportedly denied bail. He will remain in custody until December 14. [The Guardian]
Jamie
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 7:32 AMA true Australian hero, move over Ned Kelly this man is the true face of Australia and the government should make him a diplomat to give him immunity from around the world…
Blake
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 9:23 AMI agree with all of this.
JoJo
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 9:40 AMDitto!
Graham
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 8:35 AMTurned himself in to authorities but denied bail, thats interesting.
olearymo
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 9:37 AMYes. Isn’t it.
Daniel
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 9:40 AMMaybe he’ll start releasing actual useful information, instead of the mostly tabloid garbage that comprises the bulk of the releases.
Pauly7
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 11:57 AMDaniel, the information is what he IS releasing. That is what information is.
If you want something specific, you go through all the data released, and find the bit you want. Security organisations have been doing it that was for years.
The “tabloid garbage” is just the bits the media have extracted, that THEY find interesting.
Daniel
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 2:16 PMDear Julian, i’d like a shopping list of high value US targets for my terrorist buddies.
Thanks.
——–
Dear Julian, thanks for the list.
——–
In one release he completely undoes any good he thinks he’s doing. He’s a parasite. No better than the ‘man’ he’s trying to stick it to.
adz
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 10:44 AMWhat a friggen joke.
I feel like I am watching a real life Prison Break.
Sure, the guy has information America is obv. scared about releasing, and just as sure they set all this up.
Absolute BS.
Your Mate Alex
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 12:18 PMpolice have issued an arrest warrant for the sydney morning herald after publishing the details of the leaks. apparently the website is a front for child porn. the australian government are actively looking into this act of which the foundation is illegal. they are having difficulty in locating this so called “web site” but police have been given the description to look for anything book-like or dvd-like in appearance. it is believed to be in hiding in the internet portal.
huu
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 12:43 PMok, let me get this straight. he is arrested for sexual assault charges and rape etc. and not for the leak. so the conspiracy is that these charges are false and everyone out to get him. so who are these victims he allegedly rape or harass? are these hired actors or agents? what is their background and family? for a guy who can dig out top secret/embarassing government information, wouldn’t have too much trouble dig out some false charges against him. Or the conpiracy is so deep that he could not dig out any information to clear himself, all the country arround the world conspire together to make up this false rape charges against this 1 guy? isn’t just easier to arrange a heart attack, or car accident? LOL then again if he shower and fall and hit his head and die tonight the conspiracy of who did it will continue for centuries.
Flame
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 2:38 PMYou could read up on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Assange#Swedish_arrest_warrant_for_alleged_sex_offenses
The rape charge was initially dismissed in August, but “new information had come in”.