The treatment of WikiLeaks founder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-denied-delay-to-extradition-hearing-by-london-judge-257361">Julian Assange</a>, who is facing the threat of extradition from Britain to the US on espionage charges, is putting his life "at risk", an independent UN rights expert said Friday.

"Unless the UK urgently changes course and alleviates his inhumane situation, Mr. Assange's continued exposure to arbitrariness and abuse may soon end up costing his life," the UN special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Nils Melzer, said in a statement.

Melzer, who visited the 48-year-old Australian whistleblower in a London prison on May 9, nearly a month after his arrest at Ecuador's embassy where he had been holed up for seven years, has previously warned he was being subjected to drawn-out "psychological torture".

A spokesperson told AFP that the independent expert, who does not speak on behalf of the United Nations, had not met Assange since then but had received "updates" about his condition.

Friday's statement warned that Assange's health had continued to deteriorate since his arrest, stressing that "his life was now at risk."

In the statement, Melzer pointed out that in May he had demanded immediate measures to protect the WikiLeaks founder's health and dignity.

"However, what we have seen from the UK Government is outright contempt for Mr Assange’s rights and integrity," he said.

"Despite the medical urgency of my appeal, and the seriousness of the alleged violations, the UK has not undertaken any measures of investigation, prevention and redress required under international law," he charged.

Assange "continues to be detained under oppressive conditions of isolation and surveillance, not justified by his detention status," he said.

His statement pointed out that Assange had completed his prison sentence for violating his British bail terms in 2012 and was now "being held exclusively in relation to the pending extradition request from the United States."

Assange is facing the extradition request by the US over charges he violated the US Espionage Act by publishing a huge cache of military and diplomatic files in 2010.&nbsp;

"While the US Government prosecutes Mr. Assange for publishing information about serious human rights violations, including torture and murder, the officials responsible for these crimes continue to enjoy impunity," Melzer said.

He also decried that "despite the complexity of the proceedings against him led by the world’s most powerful Government, Mr. Assange's access to legal counsel and documents has been severely obstructed."

This, he said, had effectively undermined "his most fundamental right to prepare his defence."

In his appeal, Melzer urged London to bar <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-founder-assange-remanded-in-jail-after-brief-uk-court-hearing-255303">Assange's</a> extradition to the US, and demanded that "he be promptly released and allowed to recover his health and rebuild his personal and professional life."

The treatment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is facing the threat of extradition from Britain to the US on espionage charges, is putting his life "at risk", an independent UN rights expert said Friday.

The treatment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is facing the threat of extradition from Britain to the US on espionage charges, is putting his life "at risk", an independent UN rights expert said Friday. "Unless the UK urgently changes course and alleviates his inhumane situation, Mr. Assange's continued exposure to arbitrariness and abuse may soon end up costing his life," the UN special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Nils Melzer, said in a statement. Melzer, who visited the 48-year-old Australian whistleblower in a London prison on May 9, nearly a month after his arrest at Ecuador's embassy where he had been holed up for seven years, has previously warned he was being subjected to drawn-out "psychological torture". A spokesperson told AFP that the independent expert, who does not speak on behalf of the United Nations, had not met Assange since then but had received "updates" about his condition. Friday's statement warned that Assange's health had continued to deteriorate since his arrest, stressing that "his life was now at risk." In the statement, Melzer pointed out that in May he had demanded immediate measures to protect the WikiLeaks founder's health and dignity. "However, what we have seen from the UK Government is outright contempt for Mr Assange’s rights and integrity," he said. "Despite the medical urgency of my appeal, and the seriousness of the alleged violations, the UK has not undertaken any measures of investigation, prevention and redress required under international law," he charged. Assange "continues to be detained under oppressive conditions of isolation and surveillance, not justified by his detention status," he said. His statement pointed out that Assange had completed his prison sentence for violating his British bail terms in 2012 and was now "being held exclusively in relation to the pending extradition request from the United States." Assange is facing the extradition request by the US over charges he violated the US Espionage Act by publishing a huge cache of military and diplomatic files in 2010. "While the US Government prosecutes Mr. Assange for publishing information about serious human rights violations, including torture and murder, the officials responsible for these crimes continue to enjoy impunity," Melzer said. He also decried that "despite the complexity of the proceedings against him led by the world’s most powerful Government, Mr. Assange's access to legal counsel and documents has been severely obstructed." This, he said, had effectively undermined "his most fundamental right to prepare his defence." In his appeal, Melzer urged London to bar Assange's extradition to the US, and demanded that "he be promptly released and allowed to recover his health and rebuild his personal and professional life."

Treatment of Assange putting his life 'at risk': United Nations expert

A judge in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-says-hit-by-40-million-cyber-attacks-since-julian-assange-arrest-210761">Ecuador </a>has ordered former foreign minister Ricardo Patino be held in pre-trial detention on a so-called instigation charge, the attorney general`s office said on Thursday, but the ex-official`s whereabouts are unknown.

The administration of President Lenin Moreno has said that Patino, who served as foreign minister under the previous government of President Rafael Correa, is connected to WikiLeaks.

Moreno stripped WikiLeaks founder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-held-in-london-jail-ahead-of-long-legal-fight-209853">Julian Assange </a>of his diplomatic asylum last week. Assange was given refuge in the London embassy in 2012 by Correa, but Moreno has accused WikiLeaks and Assange of violating his privacy by publishing private family photographs.&nbsp;

WikiLeaks has denied those allegations, arguing that Moreno was attempting to deflect attention from corruption allegations against him.

Patino, an economist who called on supporters to carry out "combative resistance" against Moreno in October 2018, fled the country by road on Wednesday, the attorney general`s office said in a statement.

"The attorney general`s office began a criminal process against Ricardo Patino for the alleged crime of instigation," the office said. "(Patino) had given a speech in which he instigated people to take over public institutions and close roads."

"The judge accepted the request of the attorney general`s office, ordered pre-trial detention and asked for the release of an Interpol red notice," the office said.

It was not possible to reach Patino immediately for comment. He has previously denied the allegations.

Patino is also under investigation for having supposed ties to alleged Swedish hacker Ola Bini, who was arrested last week, the attorney general`s office has said.

The government alleges that Patino and Bini have taken similarly timed trips out of the country and that they visited Assange when he was living in the Ecuadorean embassy in London. The interior minister has said Patino is part of a plan to "destabilize" the government. 
&nbsp;

A judge in Ecuador has ordered former foreign minister Ricardo Patino be held in pre-trial detention on a so-called instigation charge, the attorney general`s office said on Thursday, but the ex-official`s whereabouts are unknown.

A judge in Ecuador has ordered former foreign minister Ricardo Patino be held in pre-trial detention on a so-called instigation charge, the attorney general`s office said on Thursday, but the ex-official`s whereabouts are unknown. The administration of President Lenin Moreno has said that Patino, who served as foreign minister under the previous government of President Rafael Correa, is connected to WikiLeaks. Moreno stripped WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of his diplomatic asylum last week. Assange was given refuge in the London embassy in 2012 by Correa, but Moreno has accused WikiLeaks and Assange of violating his privacy by publishing private family photographs. WikiLeaks has denied those allegations, arguing that Moreno was attempting to deflect attention from corruption allegations against him. Patino, an economist who called on supporters to carry out "combative resistance" against Moreno in October 2018, fled the country by road on Wednesday, the attorney general`s office said in a statement. "The attorney general`s office began a criminal process against Ricardo Patino for the alleged crime of instigation," the office said. "(Patino) had given a speech in which he instigated people to take over public institutions and close roads." "The judge accepted the request of the attorney general`s office, ordered pre-trial detention and asked for the release of an Interpol red notice," the office said. It was not possible to reach Patino immediately for comment. He has previously denied the allegations. Patino is also under investigation for having supposed ties to alleged Swedish hacker Ola Bini, who was arrested last week, the attorney general`s office has said. The government alleges that Patino and Bini have taken similarly timed trips out of the country and that they visited Assange when he was living in the Ecuadorean embassy in London. The interior minister has said Patino is part of a plan to "destabilize" the government.

Ecuador judge orders detention for ex-minister connected to Assange

A collaborator of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-to-fight-us-extradition-request-lawyer-209644">WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was arrested</a> Thursday in Ecuador while trying to flee to Japan, the South American country's interior minister said.

Maria Paula Romo did not identify the person but told Sonorama radio he was very close to Assange, who was arrested Thursday in London on a US extradition request after spending seven years in the Ecuadoran embassy there.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-transparency-icon-or-enemy-of-the-state-209557">Julian Assange, Transparency icon or enemy of the state?</a>

Channel Teleamazonas identified him as Ola Bini, a software developer focused on privacy, security and cryptography, but did not name its source.

Earlier Thursday, the minister had linked the collaborator with alleged attempts to destabilize the government of President Lenin Moreno.&nbsp;

He "has been detained simply for investigation purposes," she said, adding he had taken foreign trips with former Ecuadoran foreign minister Ricardo Patino, who gave political asylum to Assange in 2012.&nbsp;

"We have sufficient evidence that he was collaborating in attempts to destabilize the government," she said.

Romo's announcement followed the arrest of Assange earlier Thursday.

British police moved in after Ecuador pulled its asylum for Assange and cancelled his citizenship, granted in 2012.&nbsp;

He had been living in the embassy, fearing arrest, but the Ecuadoran government says that Assange "repeatedly violated" the conditions of his protection.

The US Justice Department said Assange was being charged with a computer hacking conspiracy relating to his work with former US intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in March 2010.

A collaborator of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was arrested Thursday in Ecuador while trying to flee to Japan, the South American country's interior minister said.

A collaborator of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was arrested Thursday in Ecuador while trying to flee to Japan, the South American country's interior minister said. Maria Paula Romo did not identify the person but told Sonorama radio he was very close to Assange, who was arrested Thursday in London on a US extradition request after spending seven years in the Ecuadoran embassy there. Also read: Julian Assange, Transparency icon or enemy of the state? Channel Teleamazonas identified him as Ola Bini, a software developer focused on privacy, security and cryptography, but did not name its source. Earlier Thursday, the minister had linked the collaborator with alleged attempts to destabilize the government of President Lenin Moreno. He "has been detained simply for investigation purposes," she said, adding he had taken foreign trips with former Ecuadoran foreign minister Ricardo Patino, who gave political asylum to Assange in 2012. "We have sufficient evidence that he was collaborating in attempts to destabilize the government," she said. Romo's announcement followed the arrest of Assange earlier Thursday. British police moved in after Ecuador pulled its asylum for Assange and cancelled his citizenship, granted in 2012. He had been living in the embassy, fearing arrest, but the Ecuadoran government says that Assange "repeatedly violated" the conditions of his protection. The US Justice Department said Assange was being charged with a computer hacking conspiracy relating to his work with former US intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in March 2010.

Julian Assange aide arrested trying to leave Ecuador: Official

WikiLeaks founder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-julian-assange-has-been-arrested-uk-police-209546">Julian Assange was arrested</a> by the British Police on Thursday after being evicted from the Ecuadorean Embassy where he had been living since 2012. He was arrested after Ecuador withdrew his diplomatic asylum for "repeated violation of international conventions and a protocol of coexistence".

Assange's relations with his hosts turned frosty since Ecuador accused him of leaking information about President Lenin Moreno's personal life. Moreno has said Assange has violated the terms of his asylum.

To some, Assange is a hero for exposing what supporters cast as abuse of power by modern states and for championing free speech. But to others, he is a dangerous rebel who has undermined the security of the United States.

Assange, an Australian national, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-of-wikileaks-founder-julian-assanges-arrest-209547">was arrested in Britain</a> in December 2010 on allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, claims he strongly denied, saying they were politically motivated.

Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London to avoid being extradited to Sweden. Before the claims were dropped in 2017, Assange expressed fears that any extradition to Sweden could see his eventual transfer to the United States to face trial for the leaks.

WikiLeaks angered Washington by publishing hundreds of thousands of secret US diplomatic cables that laid bare often highly critical US appraisals of world leaders from Russian President Vladimir Putin to members of the Saudi royal family.

Assange made international headlines in early 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters that killed a dozen people in Baghdad, including two staff members of Reuters news agency.

Later that year, the group released over 90,000 secret documents detailing the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan, followed by almost 400,000 internal US military reports detailing operations in Iraq.

More than 2,50,000 classified cables from US embassies followed, then almost three million dating back to 1973.

Born in Townsville, Queensland, in 1971, Assange has described a nomadic childhood and claims to have attended 37 schools before settling in Melbourne.

As a teenager he discovered a talent for computer hacking, and while has pled guilty to 25 such offences, he has only ever walked away with fines.

He created WikiLeaks in 2006 with a group of like-minded activists and IT experts, to provide a secure way for whistleblowers to leak information.

A confident speaker, he became its figurehead - and a lightning rod for criticism.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was arrested by the British Police on Thursday after being evicted from the Ecuadorean Embassy where he had been living since 2012.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was arrested by the British Police on Thursday after being evicted from the Ecuadorean Embassy where he had been living since 2012. He was arrested after Ecuador withdrew his diplomatic asylum for "repeated violation of international conventions and a protocol of coexistence". Assange's relations with his hosts turned frosty since Ecuador accused him of leaking information about President Lenin Moreno's personal life. Moreno has said Assange has violated the terms of his asylum. To some, Assange is a hero for exposing what supporters cast as abuse of power by modern states and for championing free speech. But to others, he is a dangerous rebel who has undermined the security of the United States. Assange, an Australian national, was arrested in Britain in December 2010 on allegations of sexual assault and rape in Sweden, claims he strongly denied, saying they were politically motivated. Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London to avoid being extradited to Sweden. Before the claims were dropped in 2017, Assange expressed fears that any extradition to Sweden could see his eventual transfer to the United States to face trial for the leaks. WikiLeaks angered Washington by publishing hundreds of thousands of secret US diplomatic cables that laid bare often highly critical US appraisals of world leaders from Russian President Vladimir Putin to members of the Saudi royal family. Assange made international headlines in early 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters that killed a dozen people in Baghdad, including two staff members of Reuters news agency. Later that year, the group released over 90,000 secret documents detailing the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan, followed by almost 400,000 internal US military reports detailing operations in Iraq. More than 2,50,000 classified cables from US embassies followed, then almost three million dating back to 1973. Born in Townsville, Queensland, in 1971, Assange has described a nomadic childhood and claims to have attended 37 schools before settling in Melbourne. As a teenager he discovered a talent for computer hacking, and while has pled guilty to 25 such offences, he has only ever walked away with fines. He created WikiLeaks in 2006 with a group of like-minded activists and IT experts, to provide a secure way for whistleblowers to leak information. A confident speaker, he became its figurehead - and a lightning rod for criticism.

Julian Assange: Transparency icon or enemy of the state?

The arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a US &quot;priority,&quot; Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday, as media reports indicated his office was preparing charges against the fugitive anti-hero.

&quot;We are going to step up our effort and already are stepping up our efforts on all leaks,&quot; Sessions, America&#39;s top cop, said at a news conference in response to a reporter&#39;s question about a US priority to arrest Assange. 
 
The Justice Department chief said a rash of leaks of sensitive secrets appeared unprecedented.

&quot;This is a matter that&#39;s gone beyond anything I&#39;m aware of. We have professionals that have been in the security business of the United States for many years that are shocked by the number of leaks and some of them are quite serious,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;Whenever a case can be made, we will seek to put some people in jail.&quot;

Prosecutors in recent weeks have been drafting a memo that looks at charges against Assange and members of WikiLeaks that possibly include conspiracy, theft of government property and violations of the Espionage Act, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed US officials familiar with the matter.

Several other media outlets also cited unnamed officials as saying US authorities were preparing charges against Assange. The Justice Department declined to comment on the reports.

Assange, 45, has been holed up at the Ecuadoran embassy in London since 2012 trying to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faces a rape allegation that he denies.

He fears Sweden would extradite him to the United States to face trial for leaking hundreds of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents that first gained attention in 2010.

Assange&#39;s case returned to the spotlight after WikiLeaks was accused of meddling in the US election last year by releasing a damaging trove of hacked emails from presidential candidate Hillary Clinton`s campaign and the Democratic party.

US officials say the emails were hacked with the aid of the Russian government in its bid to influence the US election.

Critics say their release late in the race helped to tip the November 8 election to Republican Donald Trump.

Donald Trump publicly praised WikiLeaks during the 2016 US election.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9OxbYva_szc" width="560"></iframe>

Trump and his administration have put heat on WikiLeaks after it embarrassed the Central Intelligence Agency last month by releasing a large number of files and computer code from the spy agency`s top-secret hacking operations.&nbsp;

The documents showed how the CIA exploits vulnerabilities in popular computer and networking hardware and software to gather intelligence.

Supporters of WikiLeaks say it&#39;s practicing the constitutional right of freedom of speech and the press.CIA Director Mike Pompeo last week branded WikiLeaks a &quot;hostile intelligence service,&quot; saying it threatens democratic nations and joins hands with dictators.

Pompeo focused on the anti-secrecy group and other leakers of classified information like Edward Snowden as one of the key threats facing the United States.

&quot;WikiLeaks walks like a hostile intelligence service and talks like a hostile intelligence service. It has encouraged its followers to find jobs at CIA in order to obtain intelligence... And it overwhelmingly focuses on the United States, while seeking support from anti-democratic countries and organizations,&quot; said Pompeo.

&quot;It is time to call out WikiLeaks for what it really is -- a non-state hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like Russia.&quot;

The day before Pompeo spoke, Assange published an opinion piece in The Washington Post in which he said his group&#39;s mission was the same as America`s most respected newspapers: &quot;to publish newsworthy content.&quot; 
 
&quot;WikiLeaks&#39;s sole interest is expressing constitutionally protected truths,&quot; he said, professing &quot;overwhelming admiration for both America and the idea of America.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

US authorities were preparing charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

The arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is a US "priority," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday, as media reports indicated his office was preparing charges against the fugitive anti-hero. "We are going to step up our effort and already are stepping up our efforts on all leaks," Sessions, America's top cop, said at a news conference in response to a reporter's question about a US priority to arrest Assange. The Justice Department chief said a rash of leaks of sensitive secrets appeared unprecedented. "This is a matter that's gone beyond anything I'm aware of. We have professionals that have been in the security business of the United States for many years that are shocked by the number of leaks and some of them are quite serious," he said. "Whenever a case can be made, we will seek to put some people in jail." Prosecutors in recent weeks have been drafting a memo that looks at charges against Assange and members of WikiLeaks that possibly include conspiracy, theft of government property and violations of the Espionage Act, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed US officials familiar with the matter. Several other media outlets also cited unnamed officials as saying US authorities were preparing charges against Assange. The Justice Department declined to comment on the reports. Assange, 45, has been holed up at the Ecuadoran embassy in London since 2012 trying to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faces a rape allegation that he denies. He fears Sweden would extradite him to the United States to face trial for leaking hundreds of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents that first gained attention in 2010. Assange's case returned to the spotlight after WikiLeaks was accused of meddling in the US election last year by releasing a damaging trove of hacked emails from presidential candidate Hillary Clinton`s campaign and the Democratic party. US officials say the emails were hacked with the aid of the Russian government in its bid to influence the US election. Critics say their release late in the race helped to tip the November 8 election to Republican Donald Trump. Donald Trump publicly praised WikiLeaks during the 2016 US election. Trump and his administration have put heat on WikiLeaks after it embarrassed the Central Intelligence Agency last month by releasing a large number of files and computer code from the spy agency`s top-secret hacking operations. The documents showed how the CIA exploits vulnerabilities in popular computer and networking hardware and software to gather intelligence. Supporters of WikiLeaks say it's practicing the constitutional right of freedom of speech and the press.CIA Director Mike Pompeo last week branded WikiLeaks a "hostile intelligence service," saying it threatens democratic nations and joins hands with dictators. Pompeo focused on the anti-secrecy group and other leakers of classified information like Edward Snowden as one of the key threats facing the United States. "WikiLeaks walks like a hostile intelligence service and talks like a hostile intelligence service. It has encouraged its followers to find jobs at CIA in order to obtain intelligence... And it overwhelmingly focuses on the United States, while seeking support from anti-democratic countries and organizations," said Pompeo. "It is time to call out WikiLeaks for what it really is -- a non-state hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like Russia." The day before Pompeo spoke, Assange published an opinion piece in The Washington Post in which he said his group's mission was the same as America`s most respected newspapers: "to publish newsworthy content." "WikiLeaks's sole interest is expressing constitutionally protected truths," he said, professing "overwhelming admiration for both America and the idea of America." (AFP)

Assange's arrest a priority for US, says attorney general Jeff Sessions

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Treatment of Assange putting his life 'at risk': United Nations expert

Ecuador judge orders detention for ex-minister connected to Assange

Julian Assange aide arrested trying to leave Ecuador: Official

Julian Assange: Transparency icon or enemy of the state?

Assange's arrest a priority for US, says attorney general Jeff Sessions