Wikileaks warns journos on language as Ecuador grants Assange asylum

Wikileaks has sent a warning out to media organisations around the world threatening them with libel suits after its founder Julian Assange was granted asylum by Ecuador.

the confirmation of asylum from the South American country comes two months after the man behind the well-known cable-leaking site turned to its embassy after the UK Supreme Court refused to reopen his appeal against extradition to Sweden over allegations that he committed sexual offences against two women.

Earlier today, the organisation sent out a tweet warning media that using the word “charges” when referring to the allegations against Assange would open their organisations up to legal action.

Julian Assange HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED. Media reporting that he has do so falsely and risk libel suits. justice4assange.com

— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 16, 2012

According to a statement (translated) issued by the government of Ecuador, it gave Assange asylum for a number of reasons, including:

1. Julian Assange is an award-winning communications professional internationally for his struggle for freedom of expression, press freedom and human rights in general;
2. That Mr. Assange shared with the global audience was privileged documentary information generated by various sources, and affected employees, countries and organizations;
3. That there is strong evidence of retaliation by the country or countries that produced the information disclosed by Mr. Assange, retaliation that may endanger their safety, integrity, and even his life;
4. That, despite diplomatic efforts by Ecuador, countries which have required adequate safeguards to protect the safety and life of Mr. Assange, have refused to facilitate them;
5. That is certain Ecuadorian authorities that it is possible the extradition of Mr. Assange to a third country outside the European Union without proper guarantees for their safety and personal integrity;
6. That legal evidence clearly shows that, given an extradition to the United States of America, Mr. Assange would not have a fair trial, could be tried by special courts or military, and it is unlikely that is applied to cruel and degrading , and was sentenced to life imprisonment or capital punishment, which would not respect their human rights;
7. That while Mr. Assange must answer for the investigation in Sweden, Ecuador is aware that the Swedish prosecutor has had a contradictory attitude that prevented Mr. Assange the full exercise of the legitimate right of defense;
8. Ecuador is convinced that they have undermined the procedural rights of Mr. Assange during the investigation;
9. Ecuador has found that Mr. Assange is without protection and assistance to be received from the State which is a citizen;
10. That, following several public statements and diplomatic communications by officials from Britain, Sweden and USA, it is inferred that these governments would not respect the conventions and treaties, and give priority to domestic law school hierarchy, in violation of rules express universal application and,
11. That, if Mr. Assange is reduced to custody in Sweden (as is customary in this country), would start a chain of events that would prevent the further protective measures taken to avoid possible extradition to a third country.

According to The Australian, Assange will appeal the International Court of Justice if the United Kingdom attempts to block his exit from the country.

The official Wikileaks account meanwhile is tweeting that there are a number of people outside the embassy chanting messages of support for Assnage and Ecuador.

300-400 people outside Embassy chanting “Hands off Ecuador!”. Police presense still high.

— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 16, 2012