'Assange kill attempt'? Unknown man climbs Ecuador's London embassy, sheltering WikiLeaks chief
Social media users are in a panic after WikiLeaks said an unknown man had climbed the Ecuadorian embassy in London where Julian Assange has been staying for four years. Users suggested that it was probably an assassination attempt, “ordered by Clinton.”
“…At 2:47am an unknown man scaled the side wall [and the] window of the Ecuadorian embassy in London; fled after being caught by security,” a statement from WikiLeaks said early Monday morning.
Male intruder at 2.47am climbed this wall of the Ecuadorian embassy in London where Assange has asylum https://t.co/6ZIHDkuquJ
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 22, 2016
Later the group said that the intruder was “male” and he climbed the Ecuadorian embassy where “Assange has asylum.”
19 mins ago at 2:47am an unknown man scaled the side wall+window of the Ecuadorian embassy in London; fled after being caught by security.
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 22, 2016
Though WikiLeaks hasn’t stated the reason for such an intrusion, users on social media suggested that it was definitely “an assassination attempt” on Assange.
@wikileaks attempted assassination you think?
— Wikileaks2 (@laurapcd1) August 22, 2016
@wikileaks I believe the proper term is "assassin"
— Phil Nicolas James (@philjames_) August 22, 2016
Others suggested that the Democratic Party's presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was behind ‘the assassination attempt’.
@wikileaks Maybe one of Hillary's assassins? #saudimoney#neverhillary
— Asia trade (@Eastwindtrades) August 22, 2016
READ MORE: Wikileaks offers $20k reward over dead DNC staffer, but won’t confirm he leaked emails
Probably some of them remembered that in July this year WikiLeaks said it would release “a lot more” documents to surprise American voters ahead of the upcoming presidential elections - and will not hesitate to make them public.
@wikileaks Stay safe. Double security. Remember when Andrew Breitbart said he was about to take down @POTUS ? Put nothing past these people!
— KGB Agent Hether (@wizHether) August 22, 2016
READ MORE: Assange promises to leak ‘a lot more’ materials on US presidential elections
@wikileaks Holy Shit,hope he has great security,could it be a #ClintonThugOpertive / #DNCBondThug ,a trail of death follows the #Clintons !
— Clifford Hutchinson (@MoonHutch) August 22, 2016
@wikileaks hmmm, I wonder why someone would do something like that... pic.twitter.com/KAPo01z9Gu
— Taleesha (@1craftyfox) August 22, 2016
The catheter slows @HillaryClinton down when she tries to scale walls. Be well and safe Julian; Wikileaks on the side of truth! @wikileaks
— Grade A Radio (@gradearadio) August 22, 2016
@wikileaks I think we found Hillary #WheresHillary
— ♪ ♫♪ ♫ ♩ ️☮ (@TokingDrumpf) August 22, 2016
@wikileaks Surprise surprise, Hitlery has ordered Assange whacked
— peter tydale (@ptydale1001) August 22, 2016
And the users started suspecting not only Hillary, but the while Clinton family.
@wikileaks Probably the Clinton Crime Family....doing what they do best.....MURDER!
— Deena (@dckolarik) August 22, 2016
Others suggested that US President Barack Obama was to blame for the ‘assassination attempt’ on the WikiLeaks founder.
@wikileaks Breaking! Here is a picture of the "cat burgler">>>> pic.twitter.com/HznuOYMCpM
— Billy Jr. (@BillyJrPatriot) August 22, 2016
Some users worried not only about Assange, but also his kitten, which has been living with him since May this year. So far, the furry feline is being affectionately referred to as simply ‘Embassy Cat’ and has been keeping its nearly 16,000 followers updated on life within the embassy with witty tweets about #counterpurrveillance.
@wikileaks I hope @EmbassyCat is safe
— Don (@smartbrain) August 22, 2016
Anyway, social media users called on the Australian WikiLeaks co-founder to stay alive!
@wikileaks Stay safe. More importantly stay alive, Julian, the world needs you!
— NorCal is Purple (@NorCalispurple) August 22, 2016
@wikileaks Please stay alive. Please stay alert. Expect anything at this point. They're desperate to silence you. We'll spread the word.
— Laughing Ginger (@laughing_ginger) August 22, 2016
Assange has been living at the Ecuadorian embassy since 2012, under constant surveillance by British law enforcement. He was granted asylum after arguing that his extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning regarding allegations of sexual assault against two women in 2010 - which he has always denied – would lead to a further extradition to the United States.
@wikileaks keep us updated and let us know what we can do.
— Will Speak Out (@willspeakout) August 22, 2016
He says that if he goes to Sweden, the US will managed to secure his extradition over espionage charges related to his work for WikiLeaks. He insists that the website defends human rights and exposes illegal actions by revealing classified material to public scrutiny.
In February, a UN panel ruled that Assange has been “arbitrarily detained” in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, calling upon the UK and Sweden to end Assange’s deprivation of liberty. However, both UK and Sweden rejected the ruling.
@wikileaks Stay safe Julian Assange.
— David (@alma_mater212) August 22, 2016
Earlier this month, Ecuador said that it would allow Swedish officials interview Julian Assange in connection with rape allegations against him at the embassy in London. The agreement was apparently reached after Ecuador’s attorney-general greenlit the Swedish government’s request, made back in June, to interview the WikiLeaks co-founder.