Julian Assange loses court case over cat duties, internet …

Posted October 30, 2018 13:20:58

A judge has rejected WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's request to loosen new living requirements, including paying for his internet and cleaning up after his cat, that he says are meant to push him into leaving the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Judge Karina Martinez decided stricter rules recently imposed by the South American nation's embassy do not violate his asylum rights because authorities have the right to decide what is and is not allowed inside the building.

Ecuadorian officials praised the ruling in the latest row between the Australian hacker and the government that has provided him refuge for six years.

Relations between Mr Assange and Ecuador have grown increasingly prickly as the years have dragged on with no solution in sight.

Mr Assange's lawyer, Carlos Poveda, vowed to appeal against the decision.

"The Ecuadorian state has an international responsibility to protect Mr Assange," Mr Poveda said.

Mr Assange argued the new measures, which also include requiring him to pay for his own medical bills and laundry services, are designed to coerce him into ending his asylum.

The rules also make clear that if Mr Assange does not properly feed and take care of his cat, the animal could be sent to the pound.

Ecuador's government contended the requirements are aimed at peaceful cohabitation in tight quarters in the small embassy, where Mr Assange takes up more than a third of the space.

Officials have complained that his soccer playing and skateboarding have damaged the building.

"It's clear this protocol was issued with strict respect for international law," Jose Valencia, Ecuador's foreign minister, said after the ruling.

Mr Assange took refuge in the embassy in 2012 as he tried to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faced rape allegations.

He remains wanted in the United Kingdom for jumping bail, and he also fears a possible extradition to the United States for leaking classified State Department documents.

AP

Topics:world-politics,law-crime-and-justice,internet-technology,hacking,united-kingdom,ecuador

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