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Julian Assange: UK 'threat' to arrest Wikileaks founder Julian Assange: UK 'threat' to arrest Wikileaks founder
(40 minutes later)
Ecuador has accused the UK of making a "threat" to enter its embassy in London to arrest Wikileaks' Julian Assange.Ecuador has accused the UK of making a "threat" to enter its embassy in London to arrest Wikileaks' Julian Assange.
Mr Assange took refuge at the embassy in June to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questioning over assault and rape claims, which he denies.Mr Assange took refuge at the embassy in June to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questioning over assault and rape claims, which he denies.
Ecuador says a decision on his claim for political asylum will come later.Ecuador says a decision on his claim for political asylum will come later.
The UK Foreign Office says it can lift the embassy's diplomatic status to fulfil a "legal obligation" to extradite the 41-year-old.The UK Foreign Office says it can lift the embassy's diplomatic status to fulfil a "legal obligation" to extradite the 41-year-old.
In an official note to the Ecuadoreans it said it was "surprised" by media reports that "Ecuador is about to take a decision and proposes to grant asylum to Mr Assange".
In June, the UK's Supreme Court dismissed Mr Assange's bid to reopen his appeal against extradition and gave him a two-week grace period before extradition proceedings could start.In June, the UK's Supreme Court dismissed Mr Assange's bid to reopen his appeal against extradition and gave him a two-week grace period before extradition proceedings could start.
It was during that fortnight, while on bail, that he sought refuge.It was during that fortnight, while on bail, that he sought refuge.
It was before dawn when a taxi pulled up outside the six-storey, red brick embassy in London's Knightsbridge.It was before dawn when a taxi pulled up outside the six-storey, red brick embassy in London's Knightsbridge.
In the passenger window the driver put up a sign - "taxi for Julian".In the passenger window the driver put up a sign - "taxi for Julian".
Hardly worthy of note - except this was the Ecuadorean embassy and inside is asylum-seeker-de-nos-jours Julian Assange.Hardly worthy of note - except this was the Ecuadorean embassy and inside is asylum-seeker-de-nos-jours Julian Assange.
News camera crews took shots of the cab, and of the dozen or so supporters of Mr Assange gathered on the pavement.News camera crews took shots of the cab, and of the dozen or so supporters of Mr Assange gathered on the pavement.
They'd mobilised amid rumours that the police might be about to enter the building and arrest Mr Assange, but with no activity had little to do but film the police and themselves and post the footage on their blogs or social media sites.They'd mobilised amid rumours that the police might be about to enter the building and arrest Mr Assange, but with no activity had little to do but film the police and themselves and post the footage on their blogs or social media sites.
There was another flurry of excitement when around a dozen police officers entered the building, however that dissipated when it became clear it was a routine shift change. For now the impasse goes on. However, it is becoming clear that using a little-known act to enter the Ecuadorean embassy is the last thing both the Ecuadoreans or the British government want.
For now the impasse goes on. Julian Assange remains out of reach of UK police but, as the Ecuadoreans have been reminded, that could change thanks to a little known sub-clause in a piece of legislation which has not hit the headlines before.
However, it is becoming clear that using this act to enter the Ecuadorean embassy is the last thing both the Ecuadoreans or the British government want.
The Wikileaks website he founded published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments, particularly the US's, in 2010.The Wikileaks website he founded published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments, particularly the US's, in 2010.
Mr Assange says he fears that if extradited to Sweden, he will then be passed him on to the American authorities.Mr Assange says he fears that if extradited to Sweden, he will then be passed him on to the American authorities.
A number of police officers are outside the Ecuadorean embassy, in Knightsbridge, where some of Mr Assange's supporters have also gathered.A number of police officers are outside the Ecuadorean embassy, in Knightsbridge, where some of Mr Assange's supporters have also gathered.
A small number were handcuffed after minor skirmishes with officers.
Demonstrators also protested outside the British embassy in Ecuador's capital. Images from Quito showed protesters holding signs saying "We are sovereign, not colonies" and a union jack being stepped on.Demonstrators also protested outside the British embassy in Ecuador's capital. Images from Quito showed protesters holding signs saying "We are sovereign, not colonies" and a union jack being stepped on.
At a news conference in Quito on Wednesday, Ecuador's Foreign Minister, Ricardo Patino, said a letter from the UK government had been delivered through a British embassy official.At a news conference in Quito on Wednesday, Ecuador's Foreign Minister, Ricardo Patino, said a letter from the UK government had been delivered through a British embassy official.
"Today we received from the United Kingdom an express threat, in writing, that they might storm our embassy in London if we don't hand over Julian Assange," he said."Today we received from the United Kingdom an express threat, in writing, that they might storm our embassy in London if we don't hand over Julian Assange," he said.
"Ecuador rejects in the most emphatic terms the explicit threat of the British official communication.""Ecuador rejects in the most emphatic terms the explicit threat of the British official communication."
He said such a threat was "improper of a democratic, civilised and rule-abiding country".He said such a threat was "improper of a democratic, civilised and rule-abiding country".
He added: "If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond.He added: "If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond.
"We are not a British colony.""We are not a British colony."
A Foreign Office spokesman said the UK remained "determined" to fulfil its obligation to extradite Mr Assange.A Foreign Office spokesman said the UK remained "determined" to fulfil its obligation to extradite Mr Assange.
It was not a piece of news anyone thought would come from Ecuador - and the style of the announcement came as a great surprise.It was not a piece of news anyone thought would come from Ecuador - and the style of the announcement came as a great surprise.
Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino was visibly angry as he lectured the UK government on its diplomatic obligations for several minutes.Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino was visibly angry as he lectured the UK government on its diplomatic obligations for several minutes.
The British "threat" to enter its London embassy to capture Julian Assange, however, might accomplish the unthinkable and briefly unite Ecuador's political forces.The British "threat" to enter its London embassy to capture Julian Assange, however, might accomplish the unthinkable and briefly unite Ecuador's political forces.
Critics of President Rafael Correa have accused the government of not properly handling Mr Assange's case but have also deemed the UK position unacceptable.Critics of President Rafael Correa have accused the government of not properly handling Mr Assange's case but have also deemed the UK position unacceptable.
They also fear any violation of Ecuador's sovereignty would strengthen Mr Correa and could turn him into a hero. The question now is whether they will let him fight this battle on his own.They also fear any violation of Ecuador's sovereignty would strengthen Mr Correa and could turn him into a hero. The question now is whether they will let him fight this battle on his own.
"Throughout this process we have drawn the Ecuadoreans' attention to relevant provisions of our law, whether, for example, the extensive human rights safeguards in our extradition procedures, or to the legal status of diplomatic premises in the UK," the spokesman said."Throughout this process we have drawn the Ecuadoreans' attention to relevant provisions of our law, whether, for example, the extensive human rights safeguards in our extradition procedures, or to the legal status of diplomatic premises in the UK," the spokesman said.
"We are still committed to reaching a mutually acceptable solution.""We are still committed to reaching a mutually acceptable solution."
The law the UK has informed Ecuador it could use in the case is the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987.The law the UK has informed Ecuador it could use in the case is the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987.
It allows the UK to revoke the diplomatic status of an embassy on UK soil, which in this case would potentially allow police to enter the building to arrest Mr Assange for breaching the terms of his bail.It allows the UK to revoke the diplomatic status of an embassy on UK soil, which in this case would potentially allow police to enter the building to arrest Mr Assange for breaching the terms of his bail.
The act was introduced after PC Yvonne Fletcher was shot outside the Libyan Embassy in 1984 The act was introduced after PC Yvonne Fletcher was shot outside the Libyan Embassy in London in 1984.
Mr Patino said the letter from the UK to Ecuador stated: "We sincerely hope that we do not reach that point, but if you are not capable of resolving this matter of Mr Assange's presence in your premises, this is an open option for us." The Foreign Office note to Ecuador stated: "We very much hope not to get this point [revoking diplomatic status], but if you cannot resolve the issue of Mr Assange's presence on your premises, this route is open to us."
It also said that it must meet its legal obligations to arrest Mr Assange and extradite him to Sweden.
The note went on: "We remain committed to working with you amicably to resolve this matter. But we must be absolutely clear this means that should we receive a request for safe passage for Mr Assange, after granting asylum, this would be refused, in line with our legal obligations."
The Ecuadorean foreign minister told reporters an announcement on Mr Assange's bid for political asylum would be issued on Thursday at 07:00 local time (13:00 BST).The Ecuadorean foreign minister told reporters an announcement on Mr Assange's bid for political asylum would be issued on Thursday at 07:00 local time (13:00 BST).
The BBC's Bridget Kendall said she believed it was "quite likely" that Ecuador would grant Mr Assange asylum because it had reacted strongly to the UK and may not want to be perceived to be buckling under pressure.The BBC's Bridget Kendall said she believed it was "quite likely" that Ecuador would grant Mr Assange asylum because it had reacted strongly to the UK and may not want to be perceived to be buckling under pressure.
However, he could still be arrested if he left the embassy, she said.However, he could still be arrested if he left the embassy, she said.
Our correspondent could not recall a precedent in which the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987 had been used in this way.Our correspondent could not recall a precedent in which the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987 had been used in this way.
And former government lawyer Carl Gardner told BBC Radio 4's Today programme legal advisers would be "urging the most extreme caution".And former government lawyer Carl Gardner told BBC Radio 4's Today programme legal advisers would be "urging the most extreme caution".
In 2010, two female ex-Wikileaks volunteers accused Mr Assange, an Australian citizen, of committing sexual offences against them while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture.In 2010, two female ex-Wikileaks volunteers accused Mr Assange, an Australian citizen, of committing sexual offences against them while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture.
Mr Assange claims the sex was consensual and the allegations are politically motivated.Mr Assange claims the sex was consensual and the allegations are politically motivated.
In June, judges at the UK's Supreme Court dismissed his final appeal against extradition to Sweden.In June, judges at the UK's Supreme Court dismissed his final appeal against extradition to Sweden.
An offer by Ecuador to allow Swedish investigators to interview Mr Assange inside the embassy was rejected.An offer by Ecuador to allow Swedish investigators to interview Mr Assange inside the embassy was rejected.
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