Did Trump just throw Assange under the bus?!
Trump Responds To Assange Arrest: “I Know Nothing About Wikileaks”
ZeroHedge.com
Update (1:15 pm ET): The editor of the Global Times, widely seen as a mouthpiece for Beijing, has weighed in on Assange’s arrest, comparing him to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, the “Chinese Nelson Mandela.”
The West deified Liu, while persecuting Assange, even though their actions – exposing government malfeasance – were similar. Why? Because Assange picked the wrong target.
Both Assange and Liu Xiaobo defied. Liu was awarded Nobel Peace Prize by the West, Assange was jointly hunted by Western countries. If Assange targeted China, Russia or Iran, he wouldn't have ended up this way. He chose the wrong target.
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) April 11, 2019
While we’re on the subject, one twitter wit pointed out another manner in which the treatment of Assange has differed from others who have dared to challenge the federal government.
Both Assange and Liu Xiaobo defied. Liu was awarded Nobel Peace Prize by the West, Assange was jointly hunted by Western countries. If Assange targeted China, Russia or Iran, he wouldn't have ended up this way. He chose the wrong target.
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) April 11, 2019
BREAKING: ASSANGE TRANSFERRED TO SAUDI ARABIA FOR QUESTIONING
— Rudy Havenstein, Senior Markets Commentator. (@RudyHavenstein) April 11, 2019
BREAKING: ASSANGE'S SHOELACE'S DESCRIBED BY DOJ AS 'PRACTICALLY NEW, VERY STRONG; CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING UP TO 200 POUNDS.'
— Rudy Havenstein, Senior Markets Commentator. (@RudyHavenstein) April 11, 2019
* * *
Update (12:50 pm ET): Clearly feeling the pressure from his many supporters who sympathize with Assange, President Trump told reporters in the White House press pool that “I know nothing about Wikileaks. It’s not my thing.”
Of course, then-candidate Trump praised Wikileaks repeatedly during the campaign after it released several tranches of emails purportedly stolen from the DNC and Clinton campaign manager John Podesta (his son also purportedly exchanged Twitter messages with the group).
Whatever happens next will be up to the attorney general.
Meanwhile, Assange supporters took to twitter to remind the president of his support for the organization during the campaign. Sean Hannity, a Fox News host with whom Trump has a close relationship, once even offered to have Assange host his show.
https://twitter.com/lawrencehurley/status/1116382602808655874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1116382602808655874&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Fnews%2F2019-04-11%2Fjulian-assange-arrested-london
And here’s a video of Trump saying ‘Wikileaks’ 141 times on the campaign trail.
https://twitter.com/justinhendrix/status/1116381400125640704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1116381400125640704&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Fnews%2F2019-04-11%2Fjulian-assange-arrested-london
Meanwhile, Assange’s lawyer spoke outside Westminster Thursday afternoon to crowd of Assange supporters, who warned that the Assange extradition warrant sets “a dangerous” precedent for journalists.
“Since 2010 we’ve warned that Julian Assange would face prosecution and extradition to the United States for his publishing activities with Wikileaks. Unfortunately today we’ve been proven right…we’ve today received a warrant and a provisional extradition request from the United States alleging that he has conspired with Chelsea Manning in relation to the materials published by Wikileaks in 2010. This sets a dangerous precedent for all media organisations and journalists in Europe and elsewhere around the world. This precedent means that any journalist can be extradited for prosecution in the United States for having published truthful information about the United States.”
Watch a clip from her remarks:
"This sets a dangerous precedent… any journalist can be extradited for prosecution in the US for having published truthful information about the US"
Julian Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson confirms Wikileaks co-founder will fight extraditionhttps://t.co/4ioyi5LlrF pic.twitter.com/y1pHKyjF1D
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 11, 2019
* * *
Update (11:55 am ET): Swedish prosecutors have reopened their preliminary investigation into allegations of rape made by two women against Assange that were the initial reason why he sought asylum in the embassy.
After a lawyer for one of the women requested that Swedish prosecutors revisit the case, which we reported earlier, the prosecutors’ office has affirmed that it will be reopened. They didn’t give a deadline for the probe.
* * *
Update (11 am ET): Protesters have gathered outside the Magistrates Court in London where Assange was found guilty.
Speaking outside the court, WikiLeaks’ editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnssonsaid said “anyone who wants the press to be free should consider the implications of this case. If they will extradite a journalist to the US then no journalist will be safe. This must stop. This must end.”
* * *
Update (10 am ET): Assange has been found guilty of failing to surrender. He will be sent to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing. Judge Snow declared that the assertion that Assange didn’t receive a fair trial was “laughable.”
Continue reading at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-11/julian-assange-arrested-london