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UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

bbc.co.uk

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Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#101

Post by spindritf »

philwelch wrote: post #14
billswift wrote: post #4

If the UK really is threatening that, then that is more evidence that the Swedish charges are politically motivated rather than being from an actual crime.

It could always be both. Assange is probably persona non grata to the British authorities, but even if you wanted to manufacture some cause to imprison him, you wouldn't go for fabricating a rape charge in Sweden. At most, the British authorities are reacting opportunistically to an otherwise valid, legitimate charge.

> you wouldn't go for fabricating a rape charge in Sweden

If you want to go after someone's reputation, a rape charge is perfect -- repugnant and requires no hard evidence, especially in Sweden. The only thing better would be an allegation without a formal charge... Though sure, there are more plausible explanations.

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#102

Post by arrrg »

saraid216 wrote: post #79
arrrg wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or he is someone who flees from serious charges and the British authorities don’t want to look like idiots in front of the whole world because they can’t do something simple like extradite him. Why is there this willingness to believe everything this idiot says? He’s a pompous ass, pure and simple. No conspiracy required. Meanwhile the idea of an anonymous leaks platform dies because everyone focuses on his stupid an…

> the British authorities don’t want to look like idiots in front of the whole world ...they're looking like idiots right now.

Maybe they are misguided. But the publicity of this whole thing makes their (possible?) overreaction completely explainable without any conspiracy theories.

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#103

Post by mkramlich »

philwelch wrote: post #16
mindcrime wrote: post #2

Isn't that basically an act of war? Or something just short of it? I can't remember another time when one country threatened to enter another country's embassy without an invitation... Have there been other cases like this in recent history??

I can't remember another time when a country used the diplomatic immunity of their embassy to harbor a fugitive from rape charges. We're in fairly uncharted territory.

there are no rape charges. rape != sexual assault. and one could argue that "sex without a condom" with a naked woman already in bed with you by her own will is not rape, certainly. also there are no charges. merely an accusation. and they merely want to "question" him, which of course they could do easily without forcing him to go to Sweden. The whole thing is a pretty blatant sham, a masquerade for some other goal of theirs.

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#104

Post by cjensen »

kmfrk wrote: post #31
philwelch wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would use the same terms to describe any fugitive on the run from rape charges. What on earth does Sweden have to gain or lose from this? This is just conspiracy theory.

The American government plan to fly Assange to the US at some point. That makes it an issue of foreign relations for the Swedish government.

If the US wanted him, why would Sweden be more amenable to passing him along than the US's closest ally?

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#105

Post by youngtaff »

mkramlich wrote: post #97

So it appears that both the UK government and the Swedish government have lost moral authority due to their behavior on this issue. And if they violate the Ecuadoran embassy that could be considered an act of war. At the least a cause to cease diplomatic and trade relations. If Sweden truly just wanted to question Assange, they could do it via mail, email, phone, video chat or of course an in person meeting in the UK…

Since when has the 'accused' had the right to tell law enforcement agencies when and where they may be questioned?

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#106

Post by cobrausn »

guelo wrote: post #89
cobrausn wrote: post #34

Did anyone not see this coming? Does he actually think they won't go after him to the full extent they are capable? The thing about being a martyr for a cause is that they usually don't walk away from the experience unscathed. I think this man thought he was untouchable and acted accordingly, deciding to be a celebrity instead of a quiet hero. Well, the hammer is dropping. Good luck, Julian, you completely unlikable…

I like him. I guess we've probably swallowed different propaganda.

I tend not to swallow propaganda - I generally just dislike his behavior from the stories I've heard, from both friend and foe alike. He basically talked Manning into putting himself in the brig so he can go be the hero. I'm sure Manning was rotting in a cell while Assange was off having the sex (consensual or otherwise) that put the whole operation in jeopardy. I don't like him. Maybe that's all propaganda, and correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my take on it. His work is necessary but I don't like him.

Besides, look at that smug face. It's seriously in the running for a 'most punchable face alive' award.

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#107

Post by philwelch »

mkramlich wrote: post #103
philwelch wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't remember another time when a country used the diplomatic immunity of their embassy to harbor a fugitive from rape charges. We're in fairly uncharted territory.

there are no rape charges. rape != sexual assault. and one could argue that "sex without a condom" with a naked woman already in bed with you by her own will is not rape, certainly. also there are no charges. merely an accusation. and they merely want to "question" him, which of course they could do easily without forcing him to go to Sweden. The whole thing is a pretty blatant sham, a masquerade for some other goal…

> and one could argue that "sex without a condom" with a naked woman already in bed with you by her own will is not rape, certainly

If one was a misogynist who thought women lost their basic human rights as soon as their clothes were off, one could certainly argue that.

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#108

Post by mkramlich »

bluesnowmonkey wrote: post #94
philwelch wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't remember another time when a country used the diplomatic immunity of their embassy to harbor a fugitive from rape charges. We're in fairly uncharted territory.

It would be more to the point to say that they are harboring him from espionage charges. We don't have an international incident every time somebody refuses to wear a condom.

> We don't have an international incident every time somebody refuses to wear a condom.

bingo. that's why, in part, this is clearly about something other than the alleged sex incidents. it's pretty obviously about Wikileaks, trying to impede/stop/punish it and him.

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#109

Post by cjensen »

alan_cx wrote: post #39
Simon_M wrote: post #7

It appears under UK law the Prime Minister could denounce the embassy as no longer Ecuadorian territory. The UK government has 'reminded' Ecuador of this fact in an attempt to influence their decision.

Presumably Ecuador could respond in kind. It may well be that the wonderful British police or SAS could smoothly extract Assange, however, what happens if the not so wonderful Ecuadorian authorities decided to lay some sort of siege to the British Embassy in Ecuador? Are British authorities really prepared to risk that?

If Ecuador did that, the British would simply leave peaceably. I'm not understanding the risk you refer to -- would not Ecuadorians be equally hindered by the lack of a British Embassy as the British?

Re: UK threaten to enter Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange

#110

Post by koski »

AManWithOpinion wrote: post #86

It is important to notice that when someone started shooting from Libyan embassy in the 80s and killed a British policewoman the UK's government did not enter the embassy. However, now in a case of far less importance(basically a case whether a condom broke on its own or did Assange do it on purpose) they consider doing it? Something is seriously not right here.

I undertood that because the event (shooting + aftermatch) happened, the "Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987" was created. Which is now used by Brittish government.
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