Ecuador warns Assange over support for Spain’s Catalonia

Agence France Presse
People hold placards against the Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, which Madrid has used to impose direct rule over the semi-autonomous Catalonia region, during a demonstration called by employees of the Generalitat (Government of Catalonia) at the Sant Jaume square in Barcelona on November 21, 2017. (AFP / Josep Lago)

QUITO: Ecuador has told WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to avoid making statements that could affect the country’s international relations after he expressed support for Catalonian independence from Spain, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.
Assange, who initially moved into London’s Ecuadorian embassy five years ago to avoid arrest over now-dropped Swedish rape charges, angered Madrid after addressing hundreds of people in Barcelona via video link in September.
“The Ecuadorian authorities have reiterated to Mr.Assange his obligation not to make statements or activities that could affect Ecuador’s international relations, which must be preserved, as is the case with Spain,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added Assange “has formally committed to observe behavior that is compatible with the will of the Ecuadorian state.”
Although Swedish prosecutors dropped their rape probe, Assange — who denied all allegations — remains in the embassy over fears he will be extradited to the United States and put on trial for WikiLeaks publishing leaked secret US military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010.
US justice authorities have never confirmed that they have Assange under investigation or are seeking his extradition.
But, when asked in May if arresting Assange was a “priority” for Washington, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that “we will seek to put some people in jail.”