WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrested at London’s Ecuadorian embassy – live updates
Assange arrested following the withdrawal of asylum by the Ecuadorian government
- Key dates in the WikiLeaks founder’s case
- The Guardian view on Assange: it would be wrong to extradite him
- Full story: Assange arrested after taking refuge for seven years
The Metropolitan Police said its officers went into the embassy, where Assange has been living for the past seven years, to detain him for “failing to surrender to the court” over a warrant issued in 2012.
AFP reports that a lawyer for one of Assange’s accusers in Sweden has urged prosecutors to reopen the case.
Edward Snowden, the computer analyst who provided the Guardian with secret NSA documents leading to revelations about US surveillance on phone and internet communications, has expressed his backing for Assange.
The reference to the UN may refer to a UN panel on arbitrary detention.