Moreno's government cuts Assange's internet access at London embassy

Wednesday, March 28th 2018 - 22:51 UTC

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Lenin Moreno, who took office in May 2017, has called Assange “a hacker.”

The Ecuadorean government of President Lenin Moreno has left Wikileaks founder Julian Assange without access to the internet at their embassy in London, it was reported Wednesday. The decision was made following Assange's recent activity on social media decrying the arrest of a Catalonian separatist leader.

In a statement, the Quito authorities explained that Assange's recent posts jeopardise Ecuador's good relations with nations throughout Europe which led to the interrution of his internet access “in order to prevent any potential harm.”

“The Ecuadorean government believes Assange's behaviour, through his messages on social media, put at risk good relations which this country has with the UK, the rest of the EU and other nations,” it said in a statement on Twitter.

Mr Assange had signed a written agreement not to send any messages that might undermine Ecuador's relationships with other countries, it said.

Assange has since gone silent on social media.

Ecuador granted Assange asylum in the South American nation's London embassy in 2012, where he has remained cooped up ever since. Ecuador has repeatedly tried to find a solution that would allow Assange to leave without the threat of arrest, but with no success. He remains subject to arrest in Britain for jumping bail and also fears a possible U.S. extradition request based on his leaking of classified State Department documents.

Assange's internet access was also interrupted in 2016 after a WikiLeaks dump targeting Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Former President Rafael Correa hailed Assange's work but his successor Moreno, who took office in May 2017, has called him a hacker and warned him not to meddle in politics.

Categories: Politics, International, Latin America.

Tags: Julian Assange, Lenin Moreno, Rafael Correa, WikiLeaks.

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ElaineB
It is more about him undermining the relationship Ecuador has with other countries. Most SoAm countries still have strong business ties with their colonial mothership Spain.

It is like offering sanctuary to someone on the basis that they behave in your home and not do anything to undermine your friends and business. You then find out your 'houseguest' insulting your guests and damaging your business online.

They should have kicked him out years ago. Cutting off his internet and visits is step one. Next should be food and water.
Mar 29th, 2018 - 01:39 pm +2
The Voice
What everyone seems to forget is that Assange's WiFi wont be cut off, with a 4G mobile signal he can use his phone and tether it to a tablet or laptop.
Mar 31st, 2018 - 07:24 am +2
ElaineB
@DT Ecuador has had a change of President too. Correa liked to thumb his nose at the West and thought it would gain him Brownie points but instead he gain a huge headache. It was not the bargaining chip he thought it would be and after the initial fuss the Ecuadorians were constantly looking for a way to get rid of him. This President seems even more inclined to push Assange out of the door. Add to that the mood change in all of SoAm. The old Bolivarian winds have blown off.

I want Assange to stop playing the victim and face the music. I would be surprised if the U.S. are interested in him but you can be sure the U.K. will not let the jumping bail go. Assange tries to assert that he has served his time in the Embassy (further insulting his hosts) but he doesn't make the rules or the law.
Mar 30th, 2018 - 09:51 am +1

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