Slashdot Mirror
Julian Assange Served With Extradition Notice By British Police
An anonymous reader writes "London's Metropolitan Police have delivered an 'Extradition Notice' to Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder, who sought refuge and political asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London last week. Scotland Yard have said in a brief statement that 'the notice requires Julian Assange to attend a police station of our choosing at a set time.' SY also said, 'This is standard procedure in extradition cases and is the first step in the removal process. He remains in breach of his bail conditions and failure to surrender would be a further breach of those conditions and he is liable to arrest.' However, under international diplomatic arrangements, the British Metropolitan Police cannot actually go into the Ecuadorian embassy to arrest Mr Assange. Assange would have to leave the embassy to be lawfully arrested. This raises the following question of course: Is this the 'endgame' for Julian Assange as far as extradition is concerned? If the Ecuadorians fail to grant Assange political asylum, which is a possibility, will he be arrested by Metropolitan Police, and sent to Sweden to stand trial for two alleged counts of 'rape?' Will Sweden then hand Assange over to the United States, where many well known and quite senior politicians have publicly stated that they think 'Assange should be punished severely' for publishing confidential U.S. diplomatic cables on Wikileaks?"
Hopefully Assange gets protection in Ecuador soon and can continue his work rather than having to face baseless and hilariously named smears by the Swedish "legal" system.
Taxation is legalized theft, no more, no less.
Can you be extradited twice? Shouldn't it be Sweden what seeks extradition from Ecuador?
In a matter of time Julian will be.
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Why are we using scare quotes for the word "rape"? Whether you believe the accusations, or whether you believe those accusations should count as rape, he would actually go on trial for two counts of rape... not for two counts of 'rape'.
Will Sweden then hand Assange over to the United States
I thought that was the point of all of this?
. .
First, everyone who helped paying for his bail won't see their money back, because Assange is not at his bail address, thus violating bail conditions. And political asylum in Ecuador? Seriously? That would actually mean that eventually he would have to move to Ecuador, and to stay there. I'd rather spend a bit of time in Sweden than a lifetime in Ecuador. I don't think Ecuador is too much fun when your money runs out.
Here in Australia our wimpy Labour government is kowtowing to the US political powers and refusing to provide aid. New Zealanissas no better in the face of the Dotcom matter. I am quite surprised that the US was unable to obtain extradition from the UK but suspect that the political cost there might be too high.
Whatever, Julian, it was nice hearing from you. But you must be made an example of, to show that no one can get away with treading on the tail of a tiger. Specially not an upstart Aussie!
He has been screwed from day one, and nobody's going to help him because the United States is the thug nobody will stand up to. The message we've been sending post-9/11 has been consistently "We'll do whatever the hell we want, and if you get in our way, we'll squish you like a bug." We've created an entire extrajudicial system to punish anyone who disagrees with the current regime, setup internment camps for political prisoners, and we torture and kill civilians and foreign nationals after judging them in secret in the President's own Star Chamber.
Everything else is really pretext. The 'rape' charges, the media spin and control, the reveal that our government has an entire task force dedicated to psyops to discredit anyone who disagrees with our foreign or domestic policies... the government is out of control. We've become the terrorists we sought to destroy... and frankly... until someone punches America in the face so hard they flinch, nothing's going to change.
Although that said, our huge military investments while our infrastructure rots away and our middle class disintegrates is creating the exact same socioeconomic conditions that led to the sudden coup de etat and dissolution of the USSR. I would not be surprised if there is a civil uprising here in the next 10 years and the United States breaks up into several smaller countries. This may in fact have been the long-term strategy of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, etc. -- we have such a big ego and need for total dominance that we'll literally spend ourselves into a hole we can't get out of trying to maintain that, rather than acknowledging that we lost a fight and you know, that's okay sometimes (like every other country has had to). If all it took to bring down the largest military and economic power on the planet was a few airplanes flown into the side of buildings and some sabre rattling from some country built out of dirt claiming they're going to make nuclear weapons... It'll be the most effective force multiplication ever seen in warfare. Ever.
#fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
I think he should seek an asylum in Russia. I think they'd grant him one.
And it's not clear that there's any relationship between them.
Whatever you think about the Swedish charges, they are at least a legal thing. There's a prosecutor, there are courts, there's a named crime and judges and warrants and all that shit, there's an actual process. That's what the Swedes and Brits are engaged in.
But somehow everyone talks like extradition to Sweden were only a prelude to extradition to the US, where there's none of these things - the man has committed no crimes either in or against the USA under any known laws. There's no charges, no prosecutor, no judges, no case to answer, no warrant. The only way Assange would end up in the USA would be by some process that amounts to kidnapping by the US gov't.
That's not impossible, but it seems like it's a long way from inevitable.
There's no way the US would sentence Assange to anything meaningful without making a total martyr of him. He should try to realise this and go for the rape charges. As it is he's just wasting money now.
Will Slashdot summaries continue to be full of mindless scare speculation (scareculation?)
Yes, unfortunately they will.
for Julian Assange as far as extradition is concerned? If the Ecuadorians fail to grant Assange political asylum, which is a possibility, will he be arrested by Metropolitan Police, and sent to Sweden to stand trial for two alleged counts of 'rape?' Will Sweden then hand Assange over to the United States, where many well known and quite senior politicians have publicly stated that they think 'Assange should be punished severely' for publishing confidential U.S. diplomatic cables on Wikileaks?"
Tune in next week.. On 'As the Wiki Turns'...
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
Statements made by his own lawyer about what Assange did talk about actions that are legally rape, both in Sweden and in the UK. That's not my opinion, but has been said by other lawyers.
I don't agree that he should be extradited just for questioning, I think there should be charges first, but the courts have upheld the extradition so Assange should just go and answer the questions. Of course, based on the above quotes, he is guilty and does not want to go and face justice.
In any case, if Assange wants to avoid extradition to the US, Sweden is a hell of a lot safer for him than the UK! The UK government hands over anyone and everyone if the US shows as much as a passing interest in prosecuting. Our government doesn't even ask for evidence! On the other hand, Sweden will not extradite anyone for political crimes or where the death penalty may be applied. In addition to extradition from Sweden being far less likely than from the UK, if he were in Sweden then both the UK and Swedish governments would have to agree for further extradition to the US to take place. Picking Ecuador as a place to flee to just proves that Assange is a hypocrite. Ecuador has a rubbish record on freedom of speech.
I support Wikileaks. I stand for freedom of speech. That doesn't change what Assange did.
Assange is not a hero anymore, he's just trying to avoid justice.
A latent existence
" and sent to Sweden to stand trial "
Incorrect, He is being sent to Sweden for questioning.
The charges aren't alleged, but real and confirmed. Assange is charged with rape, not 'rape', and the allegations against him will be proven or discredited along with the charges in court, should it come to that.
could it be?
Well first he would have to be charged with something, he's still only wanted for questioning.
This guy is brilliant; he had b@lls to stand up to tyranny of US govt, which is more than i can say for 99.9999% of the wuss's who post on this board.
So, if one were so inclined, how would one get him moved to a safe place...not that I am suggesting to do that.
U guys supposed to be smart (but r wuss's) - use brain for good; here's u're chance....
He fears 'due process.' If I had pissed off all the powerful people he's pissed off, I'd fear it, too.
Just out of curiosity, why would Assange think he's more at risk of being extradited from Sweden than from the UK? Apparently, the founder of surfchannel.com Richard O'Dwyer is facing extradition to the US for the "crime" of running a website offering links to copyrighted TV and video content.
IMHO, Assange would be better off in Sweden no matter what... Even though Sweden has a tradition of being US lapdog, the swedish justice system is relatively transparent and the procedure would have to go through several instances in addition of being under constant public scrutiny.
His work? What do you mean? What change has happened as a result of his work?
Gitmo closed?
Any wars ended?
Conflict in Syria solved?
Government corruption ended?
Greek financial crisis solved?
World peace?
But seriously, please explain what good has come from his actions? Because all I see is some weasel egomaniac enjoying the spotlight.
In fact, it seems to be the kettle with plenty dirty laundry airing the pot's dirty laundry.
Last year in Hong Kong, which is under common laws system, a young political activist was charged of committing rape. Throughout the trial period, no evidence of violent, unconsenual intercourse, or any trace of the victim being subjected to helpless state was presented, still the activist was successful charged and the court ruled a prima facie case.
The case was finally dropped simply because the girl dismissed the charge for unspecified reason and then disappeared. This young activist has never been so active ever since.
So no matter how you argue on insufficient evidence or legal fallacy, it is rape as long as the girl testified it is. Assange chose to flee from the prosecution because he knows better, he knows every well what would be the result if he chose to face the trial.
That was a bit of a stretch. Way to be off-topic. Too bad I just ran out of mod-points or I'd mod you down. Next time, after you click 'preview,' read your post and ask yourself, "Does this make sense? Is it coherent? Is it on topic?"
Of course, now that the SCOTUS has upheld Obamacare, all Republicans will be denied health insurance. Or if Romney is elected Dems will be denied health insurance. That sounds serious, I see why you're so concerned. Waitaminute . . . was that really your point? Did you have a point? Your off-topic FUD is beyond me, congratulations.
2) "Rape Allegations": Pay close attention ladies! Sure I know you read "Twilight" and think having sex with a vampire would be cool! As you can see, not so much! Seriously though, own your mistake. Just because the "vampire" liked to spray his semen everywhere and is now living in a freshman dorm doesn't mean you should change your mind and accuse him of rape! Any more than you should accuse that frat guy at that kegger in '86.
3) Picking him up when he tries to board a plane: Smart diplomatic staff knows to use the "chunnel" to drive to an airport in France. Problem solved.
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
Given the UK's extradition treaty with the US basically hands over our sovereign rights to the US with ridiculously low standards for extradition why would it make any sense to extradite him to Sweden first? Not only that but, under the terms of the European arrest warrant the UK would have to agree to let Sweden extradite him to the US.
At the same time if Sweden wants to just interview him why not send a couple of officers over to the UK, talk to him and if he is not convincing then extradite him to face charges? However this I can put down to incompetence/bureaucratic stupidity. The US concerns I think are just Assange's over active imagination. I'm sure the US wants to get him but they could do that far more easily in the UK than Sweden.
If Sweden tries to send him to the US, the British or anyone else who cares in keeping the US honest should scramble several squadrons of fighters and force the plane down.
Hah. CAPTCHA = repress
They should drop the case, but they arent. What does that say about them .. that proof isnt something they feel is needed going forward.
I have heard that vehicles from embassies are under diplomatic immunity just like the embassy is. Couldnt he just ride out to the airport onto the diplomatic jet if he is granted assylum??? If he is granted asylum then there is nothing the British could do... or am I wrong?
1) No vacations in Sweden. Their laws are way too weird for a guy who likes to get some pussy now and again.
2) No trips to the UK. They have become what many thousands of their own citizens died fighting against in WWII.
All men are created equal and there are certain unalienable rights that governments should never violate. These rights include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When a government fails to protect those rights, it is not only the right, but also the duty of the people to overthrow that government. In its place, the people should establish a government that is designed to protect those rights.
Declaration of Independence, United States of America, 1776
I think the story is she wanted him to be forced to have an AIDS test. Everything beyond that got political and can't be blamed on her, but instead ambitious lawyers using it to push personal political agendas. Before charges can be laid legal definitions over there have to be changed to match that political agenda.
It's "funny" how "the law" can stop and break down anyone without any consequence. By the law I of course mean the ones with power and money. You go against them, you'll die or everything will be taken from you including your freedom, til you eventually wish you die.
It's unfair, yet what can we do, what do we do? Nothing.
all Republicans will be denied health insurance. Or if Romney is elected Dems will be denied health insurance.
No, dimwit.
Way to miss the point.
Areas with certain racial/ethnic/cultural/political compositions might see less favorable treatment and policies, while others get more favorable treatment and policies, whether by political design or just as a result of corruption.
Not to mention those people and groups who speak out and protest against anything the government is intent on doing regardless of party in power, like starting a totally unjustified war or giving more money to bankers and fatcats, might suddenly find themselves facing a very unusual amount of red tape and problems when trying to obtain healthcare. Remember, the IRS is handling much of the Obamacare accounting/tracking/enforcement.
And we all know the IRS never unfairly hassles people for political purposes, no administration would dare.
Right?
And hell, they can and do inflict enough damage already with mistakes and unfair policies and arbitrary punishments to people/groups/businesses they have no special interest in!
Do you and the others thinking like you here not see that it's *both* parties, AND the corporations & special interest groups/political PACs, ALL simply working out how much of your wealth to take, how much more control of you and what you may/must do that they'll take, and playing power games between each other to determine who among those playing us gets how much of what?
What the fuck. Maybe it's time that you arrogant, privileged, sheltered, spoiled, pseudo-intellectual American Liberal/Progressive fucks got a good taste of real authoritarianism and enjoy a good nightmare-tyranny for a dozen generations or so, if you can't fucking learn from fucking history, or listen to what people from the former Eastern-Bloc nations have been warning you about for years and years.
Nobody many generations from now would say you didn't earn every fucking bit of it.
Diplomatic immunity isn't granted by the country the person is from, it is granted by the country the person is in. So if you are someone who is from the UK working at the embassy in the US in some capacity that would grant immunity they present you to be recognized to the US. The US then does so, if they want to (generally there is no problem with this) and you then have immunity.
Countries can't just randomly declare their citizens immune. It is an international treaty thing, not a unilateral thing. Country A says "We present you this person to be our ambassador and ask you to accept them as such," and country B says "We accept this person as your representative and grant them status as such."
So Ecuador could request Britain recognize him and grant him immunity, but such a thing would never be granted and would hurt their relations.
Best they can do is grant him asylum, but then it just depends on how bad the UK wants him. As you say the cars aren't some magic shield and that aside they could simply surround the plane they are taking him to with police, or refuse it the right to land in the first place.
I think New Zealand would be optimal given the animosity that has accumulated towards the USA for DotCom-case.
-Captcha: Danger
Would the moderater who marked the above down please comment why they did? I'm sure if there was any valid reason apart from disagreement or personal politics somebody else will repeat your mod so you have nothing to lose if it was done in good faith.
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If they are not allowed into the Embassy. Methinks the Metropolitan Police are being a little economical with the actualité.
I suppose that's why they have said 'delivered' rather than 'served'
His real crime is that he has embarrassed US politicians.
"if you feel it must be a violent attack "
Without the coercion its not rape, she's made it clear there was no coercion, she even said when he refused to wear a condom something akin to "oh well may as well". So he refused to wear a condom, she agreed to go on with sex anyway, then a few days later after a chat with another girl, gets angry (I assume) and makes a false and clearly malicious rape claim.
The rape claim stems from the conversation she had with the other girl, not the sex. It's also came out that they approached a newspaper with a story (for payment). i.e. motive to commit the crime, and there was her "how to get revenge on a cheating boyfriend with fake rape claim" article, she pulled from the net, laying out a clear plan to misuse Sweden's rape laws in exactly this way.
It's about as clear cut as you can get, and it's a pity that the girl concerned isn't being prosecuted for it.
Well, Assange stayed in the UK for 18 months on the grounds that Sweden would be much more US-friendly than even the UK, and would immediately extradite him. It looks like he now wants to do everything to ensure that nobody can ever falsify that theory. It would be terrible for him if the Swedish authorities just released him after two hours of questioning. The guy has pretty much painted himself into a corner by now.
It's called rape by those who think Assange needs extradition here on slashdot.
If Assange had been SERVED he would also have been ARRESTED, since you can only be SERVED if the document is placed IN YOUR HAND by a person authorised to do so.
Operation Guillotine is in effect.
...for instance here, I've come to the conclusion that Assange is not a nice person. But whether he is a rapist or just an ass is not yet known. So what on earth should society do in such cases?
Oh, I have this radical new idea; lets have a meeting where one side presents a case in favour of him being a rapist and the other side presents a case against it. We can call this a trial, and it should occur in the same area where the alleged incidence occurred. Assange has up until now tried all manner of ways to avoid this type of meeting, but several levels of English judges have ALL declared that he cannot avoid it any longer.
Sweden is not some banana republic with a dodgy legal system and mass corruption. It is a well-formed and reasonably well functioning system, comparing favourably to most. It is considered one of the least corrupt countries in the world.
Sweden does, however, tend to have quite strict women's rights and sexual abuse laws. In general the idea is that all parts of a sexual encounter should be consensual (not just whether to do it or not, but also how to do it, i.e. if a woman agreed to sex but not S&M, if you force her down and whip her while doing it, this is most likely rape), force isn't necessary to make an encounter illegal (just making it seem hard to get out of it, or simply ignoring pleas not to, is enough), and a woman's continued interaction with the man afterwards isn't seen as definite proof that the encounter was consensual. For instance, if you're in a position of power, and/or the woman's career or other ambitions depended on her continued interaction with you, or the woman may just feel threatened or blame herself afterwards. It is quite common for victims of abuse to assume it was their own fault, and it is very common for victims of abuse to keep seeing their abuser.
So far, Assange has resisted attempts at deciding his guilt or innocence, based on an argument that was very self-serving, and unlikely to be correct, and UK judges have called him on it. Now let him have his day in court in Sweden.
Julian Assange Served With Extradition Notice By British Police
British Police NOW serve the NWO by exploiting Julian Assange
I've read about a law (I forgot the novel's title), that says that if a lot of people, say, the full Yankees stadium, wishes that a dry tree catches fire, it will catch fire.
What if a lot of people start to wish simultaneously that Julian disappears from Ecuador embassy building and appears in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador? It may well happen, in accordance with the Yankees stadium law.
The UK government is already facing massive popular opinion that the extradition treaty with the US is simply wrong and an abstention of it's responsibility to it's citizens. They can currently blame the last Government for setting this thing up, but that is wearing thin and people now expect some changes.
The extradition of Assange from the UK to the US would go down like a lead balloon so they will avoid that like the plague.
Extradition to Sweden would be politically acceptable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17553860
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2012/jun/25/decision-uk-extradition-treaties
And how this is relevant? He's an Australian, wanted for a rial in Sweden, sitting in the Ecuador embassy in the UK.
Contrary to the belief of many on this site, the US is just one country amongst many - not the world !
Julian Assange is not accused of two alleged counts of 'rape?', as the FPP states - Julian Assange is accused of two counts of rape. Period.
Assange is a loser. He got lucky with ONE big scoop and he acts like he's hot sh--. He banged a woman in her sleep? Somebody put this loser out of our misery.
But there's too much weirdness about this case to just say "let's hold a trial like we normally would anyway." For my part, I think the extradition will proceed and I don't think he's going to make it to Sweden. He will be "lost" along the way and never heard from again. His supporters will say he was black-bagged (but no body will be found) and his detractors will say he escaped and staged it in such a way as to martyr himself.
People say "if the US wanted to kill him, they would just kill him." The problem with that is that unless they can stage it in such a way where it might look like an escape, he definitely will become a martyr and it will mess up their proceedings elsewhere. Other people will say, "If he wanted to escape he would just escape." The problem there is that it would unravel everything he has worked for, personally and globally.
I would love to see Assange delivered safely to Sweden and tried. If he does make it to court in Sweden I have confidence that his trial will be fair. If he is found guilty I think four years in prison could be good for him (you are not above the law, Julian) and the rest of the world (he's not a mythical creature, folks). I just don't think it's going to happen.
One more thing: just because someone's an asshole doesn't mean they can't also do good things, and just because someone's nice doesn't mean they can't do awful things. People are complex.
Har har har. You believe in some supernatural entity. Since men are not "created" but evolved, the constitution is based on quaint fairytales and therefore null and void. ATHEISM RULES! No more rights! FAP FAP FAP to the power of money!
It's really to bad that people like you flock to the psychological game that has been played on you. Honestly, you are in the majority so don't feel alone. It's not easy opening your eyes, in fact it's pretty fucking scary when you start to take in the big picture.
I'm honestly pissed off and scared every day, all I can do is try and wake people up. At least 80% of American's are totally clueless.
Let me point you to a couple Youtube videos. First, start with this one, The Noble Lie. You may need to watch it a couple times, but should have an idea by the first pass that you have been played as a fool. Second, watch The Obama Deception.
Once you start to wake up, there is a tremendous amount of information available. Independent people that woke up long before me have been talking and producing information for years. You have to look for information outside of corporate controlled media. Learn a bit about rhetoric and fallacy, Wikipedia is a great source of information.
Most Americans believe themselves to be informed because they trust the corporate controlled media, and believe what they are told. You have been played.
Last point, after you start to wake up try tracking how far back this goes. The game is escalating at an incredible rate. Find out why people are questioning 9/11 a decade later, find out why people are questioning the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and find out why we went to war in the first place. Hint: The reasons are not what you have been told.
James Stanley, a career soldier, suffered soul murder as an Army lab rat. He was given LSD in 1958 without being warned of its dangers, as were 1000 other "volunteer" soldiers. Stanley suffered hallucinations, memory loss, incoherence, and a negative personality change. Fits of uncontrollable violence destroyed his family, and restricted his ability to earn a living. And he never knew why until 1975, when the Army invited him to participate in a follow-up study on "volunteers who participated" in LSD testing. In United States vs. Stanley, the Supreme Court majority decided against Stanley’s claim for damages. However, Justices Brennan, Marshall and O’Connor dissented, asserting their belief that the Nuremberg Code’s standard of informed consent applies to soldiers as well as civilians. In 1996 James Stanley finally wrangled a $400,000 settlement from the government, but no apology for having ruined his life.
MK ULTRA, the Nazi human experimentation program rolled into the CIA's MK ULTRA program, whose goal was ultimately group mind control and the production of programmed assassins (review closely the Robert F. Kennedy assassination). Just a small slice of MK ULTRA's victims list:
Stanley Glickman, Harold Blauer, James Stanley, Gail Kastner, Dorothy Proctor, Christine Bauman, Richard Carlson, Tony Vaitelis, Jean-Paul Martineau, the French people residing the village of Pont Saint Esprit in 1951, healthy American children in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, 1000 "volunteer" soldiers, at least 23 women prisoners were also used as human guinea pigs, the Ottawa Citizen published an expose showing that hundreds of federal prisoners throughout Canada were used for pharmaceutical trials of untested drugs, sensory deprivation, and pain and electroshock studies, and unknown patients victimized by U.S. doctors injecting plutonium and uranium into unwitting hospital patients.
...sex is dangerous and women are not to be trusted.
"If the Ecuadorians fail to grant Assange political asylum, which is a possibility, will he be arrested by Metropolitan Police, and sent to Sweden to stand trial for two alleged counts of 'rape?' "
Why the scare quotes around rape? And why 'alleged'? The counts are most definitely of rape, and they - the _counts_ definitely exist. He faces trial on two counts of rape. The trial will determine what actions actually took place - i.e. whether the actions *alleged* to have taken place by the police did in fact happen - and whether they meet the legal definition of rape. It's the actions that are alleged, not the charges, and there is no need for the scare quotes.
As far as I've been able to gather from Swedish media, Assange still isn't considered a suspect of any crime, nor has he been charged with a crime.
He is still just wanted for questioning, and Swedish police have refused an earlier offer to take a statement in Britain -- for no good reason as far as I can tell.
Additionally, there doesn't seem to be any law requiring (or even allowing) extradition for something as trivial as "we'd like to ask you some questions" -- neither in UK law, or in Swedish law.
I've yet to find any recent articles that actually explore this -- it's all about the accusations, and about the extradition -- but nothing about the legal basis for the extradition order.
Obviously not (I was here on the first day like many others but didn't get an account), but since my post was IMHO not worth modding one way or another and of little consequence I suspect somebody or an organised group is using all their mod points on comments they don't agree with in this article. I hate this paid for "social media manipulation" shit and suspect maybe there's a bit of that going on with the modding of this article.
Can Assange get any clues from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Polanski_sexual_abuse_case
Casteism
People judging if fair or not fair regards the extradition ... I think Ecuadorian embassy should keep him until the reasons why he should be or not be face any fair tribunal came to the public ...
Then throw the sob out after the first "rape". Otherwise it sounds like opportunistic sex on both sides with honey traps by two ambitious drama queens.
Once he's in Sweden, history will only remember that Assange was extradited from Sweden, the UK's dirty part mostly forgotten.