Amazing series of libels in the Daily Mail and others (seemingly coming from bad journalism at AP and the Guardian, some the mail's own invention) . We go through them as a lesson in why people detest the press (thread) 1/
@Geordie_Greig @geordiegreig
@Geordie_Greig @geordiegreig
Here is the article. First of note what is missing. That the UN has twice ruled that the UK is in violation of international law and must free and compensate Assange. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty, etc. also. 2/ justice4assange.com dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6….
That the CIA has vowed to "take down" WikiLeaks, that the US AG has confirmed that Assange's arrest is "a priority" and that the moves against WikiLeaks, even during Obama were admitted to be the largest ever against a publisher, of "unprecedented scale and nature" 3/
Now to the libels proper. It repeats false claims, which have been denied by Assange's legal team, Ecuador and Russia. of a "Russian plot" (penned by the well known fabulist, plagiarist and Russia basher Luke Harding) to secure his freedom. Libel repeated but not denials. 4/
Now to the libels proper. It repeats false claims, which have been denied by Assange's legal team, Ecuador and Russia. of a "Russian plot" (penned by the well known fabulist, plagiarist and Russia basher Luke Harding) to secure his freedom. Libel repeated but not denials. 5/
It claims that "Assange fuelled suspicious that he was in league with the Russians by tweeting that he doubted the Novichok assassination attempts in Salisbury were carried out by Russia.". This is entirely false. HE DID THE OPPOSITE. He said he suspected Russia. 6/
It claims "In response, the centrist Ecuadorian President, Lenin Moreno, cut off his access to the internet." This is demonstrably false. Not only did Assange say he suspected Russia, Ecuador's illegal actions came BEFORE his comments, Ecuador admitted it was over US, Spain. 7/
It claims "Moreno on Wednesday said that he was negotiating with Britain to find a way for Assange to leave the embassy without being arrested." this is false. Moreno said nothing about not having Assange arrested. His legal team, also, is not aware of any negotiations.. 8/
It claims "Assange initially went into the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden on sex assault allegations.". This is false. He sought, and was granted, asylum over the US. case. which started first, after UK+Sweden said they would extradite to US 9/
It claims "The charges have been dropped but Assange fears he will be arrested by UK police for breaking bail conditions by entering the embassy in the first place. " False. He has NEVER BEEN CHARGED at any time and he is not wanted for breaking bail conditions. 10/
It claims "Over the past two years Assange's access to the internet was suspended on several occasions, as he continued to hack politicians from different countries". False. This is an EXCEEDINGLY SERIOUS LIBEL and sets the political and legal ground for his arrest. 11/
This cannot be blamed on the Daily Mail alone. It's the English language press in general that is unprofessional. The most serious libels in the article originate from other outlets (AP, Guardian), including the most serious, about hacking politicians.
