PARIS — WikiLeaks says that founder Julian Assange’s Internet access has been cut by Ecuador, which has been granting him exile in an embassy. Few other details were immediately available.
Assange has been up holed up at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London for more than four years after skipping bail to avoid being extradited over sex crimes allegations.
The cramped quarters haven’t prevented the Australian transparency activist from working and WikiLeaks continues to deliver scoops, including revelations that have rattled Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president as the U.S. election enters its final stretch.
Calls, texts and emails left with WikiLeaks weren’t immediately returned Monday. A woman who picked up the phone at the embassy said: “I cannot disclose any information.”
The group later Tweeted that Ecuador had cut off his access and blamed it on recent revelations about Clinton.
Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry released a brief statement that didn’t mention the Internet cut off, but reaffirmed its decision to grant Assange asylum.
“Faced with the speculation of the last few hours, the Government of Ecuador ratifies the validity of the asylum granted to Julian Assange four years ago,” the Foreign Ministry said. “We reaffirm that his protection by the Ecuadorean state will continue while the circumstances that led to the granting of asylum remain.”
London’s Metropolitan Police declined comment.
We can confirm Ecuador cut off Assange's internet access Saturday, 5pm GMT, shortly after publication of Clinton's Goldman Sachs speechs.
Advertisement— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) October 17, 2016
Story: Associated Press / Khaosod English
