03:21USA: Activists call for Assange's release outside Ecuador embassy in DC
Activists staged a rally in front of the Ecuadorian embassy in Washington DC on Saturday, a day before the two-year anniversary of Julian Assange's arrest and removal from the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Participants from various organisations called for Assange’s release and addressed criticism towards Ecuador.
"Ecuador was one of the key players in this travesty of justice and human rights. In 2018, Ecuador cut off Assange's internet, restricted his phone calls and visitations, virtually cut him off from his work, cut him off from the world,” said Paula Iasella from 'Assange Defense Boston.’
Banners and signs, along with a billboard truck, bore messages calling for freedom for Assange.
The WikiLeaks founder faces charges of espionage and hacking government computers in the United States and is currently held in near-solitary confinement in London's HMP Belmarsh.
Earlier in January, a UK judge ruled against the extradition of the WikiLeaks founder to the US, citing concerns over his mental health and potential risk of suicide in the US prison system.
The US Justice Department, under the Joe Biden administration, is attempting to appeal the UK decision, and has confirmed its intention to have the WikiLeaks co-founder stand trial in the US.
03:21Activists staged a rally in front of the Ecuadorian embassy in Washington DC on Saturday, a day before the two-year anniversary of Julian Assange's arrest and removal from the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Participants from various organisations called for Assange’s release and addressed criticism towards Ecuador.
"Ecuador was one of the key players in this travesty of justice and human rights. In 2018, Ecuador cut off Assange's internet, restricted his phone calls and visitations, virtually cut him off from his work, cut him off from the world,” said Paula Iasella from 'Assange Defense Boston.’
Banners and signs, along with a billboard truck, bore messages calling for freedom for Assange.
The WikiLeaks founder faces charges of espionage and hacking government computers in the United States and is currently held in near-solitary confinement in London's HMP Belmarsh.
Earlier in January, a UK judge ruled against the extradition of the WikiLeaks founder to the US, citing concerns over his mental health and potential risk of suicide in the US prison system.
The US Justice Department, under the Joe Biden administration, is attempting to appeal the UK decision, and has confirmed its intention to have the WikiLeaks co-founder stand trial in the US.