WikiLeaks founder<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-julian-assange-has-been-arrested-uk-police-209546"> Julian Assange</a> "is no hero", British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday following his arrest at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-transparency-icon-or-enemy-of-the-state-209557">Ecuadorian embassy in London</a>.

"What is not acceptable is for someone to escape facing justice and he had tried to do that for a very long time and that is why he is no hero," Hunt said in a statement.

"He has hidden from the truth for years and years and it is right that his future should be decided in the British judicial system," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/timeline-key-developments-leading-to-julian-assanges-arrest-209585">In Pics: Key developments leading to Julian Assange's arrest</a>

Assange had been living at Ecuador's embassy in London's plush Knightsbridge district since 2012 when he sought refuge there after being accused of sexual assault in Sweden.

The Metropolitan Police said it arrested Assange for breaching his bail conditions dating back to that period, and that he is also being held over an extradition request from the United States.

There he potentially faces a far more serious case linked to the publication of classified US defence material.

Hunt hailed his arrest as "the result of years of careful diplomacy" with Ecuador and praised the country's President Lenin Moreno as having made "a very courageous decision" to allow it.

He added Assange had been "holding the Ecuadorian Embassy hostage in a situation that was absolutely intolerable for them.

"This will now be decided properly, independently by the British legal system respected throughout the world for its independence and integrity and that is the right outcome," Hunt said.

Britain's foreign secretary said London was "not making any judgement about (his) innocence or guilt" and that was "for the courts to decide". 
"What we've shown today is that no one is above the law," Hunt said.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange "is no hero", British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday following his arrest at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. "What is not acceptable is for someone to escape facing justice and he had tried to do that for a very long time and that is why he is no hero," Hunt said in a statement.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange "is no hero", British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday following his arrest at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. "What is not acceptable is for someone to escape facing justice and he had tried to do that for a very long time and that is why he is no hero," Hunt said in a statement. "He has hidden from the truth for years and years and it is right that his future should be decided in the British judicial system," he added. In Pics: Key developments leading to Julian Assange's arrest Assange had been living at Ecuador's embassy in London's plush Knightsbridge district since 2012 when he sought refuge there after being accused of sexual assault in Sweden. The Metropolitan Police said it arrested Assange for breaching his bail conditions dating back to that period, and that he is also being held over an extradition request from the United States. There he potentially faces a far more serious case linked to the publication of classified US defence material. Hunt hailed his arrest as "the result of years of careful diplomacy" with Ecuador and praised the country's President Lenin Moreno as having made "a very courageous decision" to allow it. He added Assange had been "holding the Ecuadorian Embassy hostage in a situation that was absolutely intolerable for them. "This will now be decided properly, independently by the British legal system respected throughout the world for its independence and integrity and that is the right outcome," Hunt said. Britain's foreign secretary said London was "not making any judgement about (his) innocence or guilt" and that was "for the courts to decide". "What we've shown today is that no one is above the law," Hunt said.

Julian Assange 'is no hero': British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Thursday he believed sanctions against Venezuelan "kleptocrats" could be a way to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to call new elections.

He said he would raise the issue later in the day with his European Union counterparts at a meeting in Bucharest, Romania.

"We are not considering sanctions against the whole country because there is a humanitarian situation and we wouldn't want to make the situation even worse," Hunt said in a statement.

"But targeted sanctions against the kleptocrats who have enriched themselves on the back of the rest of the population who are very poor, that is something I think can be effective."

Hunt said he had spoken to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Wednesday.

"Mr Guaido was very clear — he wanted us to put pressure on Nicolas Maduro because they need change," he said.

He added: "What I want us to do is to put every pressure on Maduro and I'm urging EU foreign ministers to do exactly the same when I meet them this afternoon so that we do have free and fair elections and we give the people of Venezuela a fresh chance to start again.

"We have made a very clear request to Nicolas Maduro to announce elections within eight days," he said.&nbsp;

"So if he does not, we need to do something to increase the pressure to show that we mean what we say and we are not alone.

"This is Spain, France, Germany, many other countries, who have equally strong views as the United Kingdom."

According to a Foreign Office spokesman, Guaido told Hunt in their call "that the EU should consider increasing pressure on Maduro through further sanctions, and should collectively recognise him — Mr Guaido — as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela".

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Thursday he believed sanctions against Venezuelan "kleptocrats" could be a way to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to call new elections.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Thursday he believed sanctions against Venezuelan "kleptocrats" could be a way to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to call new elections. He said he would raise the issue later in the day with his European Union counterparts at a meeting in Bucharest, Romania. "We are not considering sanctions against the whole country because there is a humanitarian situation and we wouldn't want to make the situation even worse," Hunt said in a statement. "But targeted sanctions against the kleptocrats who have enriched themselves on the back of the rest of the population who are very poor, that is something I think can be effective." Hunt said he had spoken to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Wednesday. "Mr Guaido was very clear — he wanted us to put pressure on Nicolas Maduro because they need change," he said. He added: "What I want us to do is to put every pressure on Maduro and I'm urging EU foreign ministers to do exactly the same when I meet them this afternoon so that we do have free and fair elections and we give the people of Venezuela a fresh chance to start again. "We have made a very clear request to Nicolas Maduro to announce elections within eight days," he said. "So if he does not, we need to do something to increase the pressure to show that we mean what we say and we are not alone. "This is Spain, France, Germany, many other countries, who have equally strong views as the United Kingdom." According to a Foreign Office spokesman, Guaido told Hunt in their call "that the EU should consider increasing pressure on Maduro through further sanctions, and should collectively recognise him — Mr Guaido — as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela".

Targeted sanctions against Venezuelan 'kleptocrats' could be effective: British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the UK today for a four-day visit of bilateral engagements as well as multilateral discussions as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson received Modi at the Heathrow airport here.

Johnson said he was "excited" about the growing India-UK bilateral trade and that the visit will help build on "huge economic advantages".

"..Thanks to our shared history, we have a living bridge between us? and now we want to build on the incredible tech sector where both India and the UK are making giant strides together," Johnson said in a statement.

Modi is set for a packed day of official engagements today, starting with his bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be officially renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field, along with a range of nearly a dozen MoUs across different sectors.

Modi will then head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition where he will interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK.

The event, hosted by Prince Charles, will include the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network for evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda.

A brief stop to garland the Basaveshwara statue -- which Modi had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015 -- on the banks of the river Thames will then be followed by his second meeting with May at an event hosted by the British prime minister at the Francis Crick Institute.&nbsp;

After an interaction with Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases, both leaders will initiate the India-UK CEOs Forum.

Modi is then scheduled for a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' diaspora event, to be telecast live from the iconic Central Hall Westminster in London today.

The event, billed as the centrepiece of the 'Living Bridge' theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media.

At the end of the live telecast, he will join Heads of Government from 52 other Commonwealth countries at a dinner hosted by the British prime minister as a formal welcome to CHOGM.

This will be followed by the executive session of the heads in London tomorrow before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis.&nbsp;

This will conclude Modi's UK visit after which he will leave for India.&nbsp;

According to official estimates, the India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India.&nbsp;

Modi's visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership as well as an enhanced role in the Commonwealth.

"India's engagement is absolutely brilliant? there is a recognition that the Commonwealth offers a great opportunity for India and within that opportunity lies an opportunity for the rest of the Commonwealth," says Lord Marland, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

An Indian prime minister will attend the Commonwealth summit, which is held every two years, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, having last attended the 2009 CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Indian government has said that Modi's attendance at the summit this year symbolises the country's wider efforts to step up its role across global forums. This stepped-up engagement is likely to take the form of increased activity within the Commonwealth, including greater resources and manpower as well as financial contributions.&nbsp;

Modi was received at Heathrow by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. He will be in the UK on a four-day visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the UK today for a four-day visit of bilateral engagements as well as multilateral discussions as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson received Modi at the Heathrow airport here. Johnson said he was "excited" about the growing India-UK bilateral trade and that the visit will help build on "huge economic advantages". "..Thanks to our shared history, we have a living bridge between us? and now we want to build on the incredible tech sector where both India and the UK are making giant strides together," Johnson said in a statement. Modi is set for a packed day of official engagements today, starting with his bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street. The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be officially renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field, along with a range of nearly a dozen MoUs across different sectors. Modi will then head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition where he will interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK. The event, hosted by Prince Charles, will include the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network for evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda. A brief stop to garland the Basaveshwara statue -- which Modi had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015 -- on the banks of the river Thames will then be followed by his second meeting with May at an event hosted by the British prime minister at the Francis Crick Institute. After an interaction with Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases, both leaders will initiate the India-UK CEOs Forum. Modi is then scheduled for a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' diaspora event, to be telecast live from the iconic Central Hall Westminster in London today. The event, billed as the centrepiece of the 'Living Bridge' theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media. At the end of the live telecast, he will join Heads of Government from 52 other Commonwealth countries at a dinner hosted by the British prime minister as a formal welcome to CHOGM. This will be followed by the executive session of the heads in London tomorrow before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis. This will conclude Modi's UK visit after which he will leave for India. According to official estimates, the India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India. Modi's visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership as well as an enhanced role in the Commonwealth. "India's engagement is absolutely brilliant? there is a recognition that the Commonwealth offers a great opportunity for India and within that opportunity lies an opportunity for the rest of the Commonwealth," says Lord Marland, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). An Indian prime minister will attend the Commonwealth summit, which is held every two years, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, having last attended the 2009 CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago. The Indian government has said that Modi's attendance at the summit this year symbolises the country's wider efforts to step up its role across global forums. This stepped-up engagement is likely to take the form of increased activity within the Commonwealth, including greater resources and manpower as well as financial contributions.

Modi lands in London for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, on a visit to Pakistan, today called for an end to violence in Kashmir while he was speaking in Islamabad.

Tensions between India and Pakistan are holding the region back from becoming an &quot;incredible boomzone&quot;, he said.

Johnson, on his first visit to Pakistan, said that former colonial power Britain could not act as a mediator in the nearly 70-year-old dispute over the Himalayan region.

India and Pakistan must find a &quot;lasting solution&quot; he said, a day&nbsp;after Pakistan said that at least nine people were killed in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir when a civilian bus was hit by cross-border fire.

The two nuclear-armed neighbours have seen months of tensions leading to the Pakistani and Indian military officials speaking via a special hotline on Wednesday.

Johnson also expressed grief over the &quot;mutual sequestration&quot; of the Indian and Pakistani economies.&nbsp;

&quot;Look at the incredible human potential of Pakistan and its neighbours... and then imagine what the future could be like if this was sorted out. What an incredible boomzone it could be,&quot; AFP reported him as saying.

India had blamed Pakistani militants for a raid on its army base in Uri that killed 19 Indian Army soldiers on September 9.

India had responded by carrying out &quot;surgical strikes&quot; across the border, while Islamabad had denied them.

Frequent cross-border firings have marred the area ever since, with both sides reporting deaths including of civilians and soldiers.

The Indian foreign ministry on Thursday also accused Pakistan of targeting civilians in villages along the LoC, and of supporting &quot;armed terrorists&quot;.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since British rule ended in 1947. Both claim the territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region.

Rebel groups have fought Indian soldiers in Kashmir for decades for independence from India. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Months of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals saw Pakistani and Indian military officials speak via a special hotline on Wednesday

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, on a visit to Pakistan, today called for an end to violence in Kashmir while he was speaking in Islamabad. Tensions between India and Pakistan are holding the region back from becoming an "incredible boomzone", he said. Johnson, on his first visit to Pakistan, said that former colonial power Britain could not act as a mediator in the nearly 70-year-old dispute over the Himalayan region. India and Pakistan must find a "lasting solution" he said, a day after Pakistan said that at least nine people were killed in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir when a civilian bus was hit by cross-border fire. The two nuclear-armed neighbours have seen months of tensions leading to the Pakistani and Indian military officials speaking via a special hotline on Wednesday. Johnson also expressed grief over the "mutual sequestration" of the Indian and Pakistani economies. "Look at the incredible human potential of Pakistan and its neighbours... and then imagine what the future could be like if this was sorted out. What an incredible boomzone it could be," AFP reported him as saying. India had blamed Pakistani militants for a raid on its army base in Uri that killed 19 Indian Army soldiers on September 9. India had responded by carrying out "surgical strikes" across the border, while Islamabad had denied them. Frequent cross-border firings have marred the area ever since, with both sides reporting deaths including of civilians and soldiers. The Indian foreign ministry on Thursday also accused Pakistan of targeting civilians in villages along the LoC, and of supporting "armed terrorists". Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since British rule ended in 1947. Both claim the territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region. Rebel groups have fought Indian soldiers in Kashmir for decades for independence from India. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people. (WION with inputs from AFP)