As tensions with Julian Assange mounted in recent weeks, the WikiLeaks founder acted out with hostility against his hosts at the country’s embassy in London, according to Ecuador’s government.
And Assange’s friendship with former Playboy model Pamela Anderson, which she’s referred to as a “romantic struggle”, may have caused upset to the largely Catholic South American nation.
Ecuador Foreign Minister Jose Valencia spoke to politicians on Thursday, describing what he said were Assange’s repeated violations of the conditions of his asylum that led the government to expel him from the diplomatic mission after almost seven years, handing him over to British authorities.
Mr Valencia said what began as erratic behaviour by Assange — roller skating and playing soccer in embassy hallways and listening to loud music at all hours — evolved in recent months into aggressive behaviour toward embassy staff.
Mr Valencia alleges that Assange on occasions hit staff, charged with guaranteeing his wellbeing, and accused embassy officials of being US spies looking to exchange information on WikiLeaks in exchange for debt relief for Ecuador.
Ecuador’s president Lenin Moreno repeated allegations that Assange smeared waste on the walls of the embassy building and said that was a sign of how the WikiLeaks founder viewed Ecuador as an insignificant, third-rate country.
“When you’re given shelter, cared for and provided food you don’t denounce the owner of the house,” said Mr Moreno to applause at an event outside Quito.
Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo claimed Assange got away with some unimaginable behaviour.
She said: “During his stay at the Ecuadorian Embassy, during the government of the former president Rafael Correa, they tolerated things like Mr Assange putting faeces on the walls of the embassy and other types of behaviour of this kind that is far removed from the minimum respect a guest should have in a country which has generously welcomed him.”
She did not make it clear if he had used his own poo or someone else’s.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Assange can expect to face the process of the other country’s law, while explaining that Australia will provide the Aussie Wikileaks founder with usual consular assistance he can expect “no special treatment”.
“He will have to face the justice system when Australians go overseas, and if they violate other countries’ laws then obviously they have to face the process before those alleged actions, that is where he will be,” Mr Morrison told Sunrise this morning.
https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/ju ... 332e5c3e92
Whilst I am in two minds about Assange should our government just turn their back and say "He will have to face the justice system when Australians go overseas, and if they violate other countries laws then obviously they have to face the process" whilst, at the same time, bringing back people who have fought against us and killed us with IS?