WikiLeaks Supporters Gather As Julian Assange's Mother Labels UK 'Puppet State Of US'

Assange's Mother Labels Britain A 'Puppet State Of US'

Supporters of Julian Assange are gathering outside the Ecuadorian embassy as Assange prepares to spend his second day inside since being granted political asylum by the South American country's government.

If Assange leaves the building, Britain has said it will arrest him and extradite him to Sweden, where he faces charges of sexual assault.

Assange's mother said Britain's treatment of the 40-year-old Australian has "exposed the UK as a puppet state of the US."

Christine Assange has slammed the UK for its handling of the Wikileaks founder

"I'm absolutely shocked" she told the BBC after Ecuador accused the UK government of threatening to storm the embassy to arrest Assange.

"What happened to good old fashioned British justice? What does the UK government stand for these days? It clearly doesn't stand for justice or truth that's obvious to the whole world. "

"All WikiLeaks has ever done is to expose corruption and war crimes. Nobody knows what is going to happen next. Britain doesn't appear to have any respect for international law or human rights."

There are police and press but only a handful of protesters outside the embassy

The WikiLeaks founder has been holed up inside the embassy in London for two months since jumping bail over sexual assault charges. A diplomatic row threatens to erupt as Britain refuses to back down over its obligation to extradite Assange.

Protesters continue to demonstrate outside the embassy, though the number of police outweighs the handful of Assange supporters.

Three arrests were made on Thursday morning after scuffles broke out among officers and police, prior to the ruling of asylum, which the Wikileaks founder described as a "significant and historic victory."

Scuffles between police and protesters outside the embassy have led to arrests

Despite this William Hague insisted that the UK "does not accept the principle of diplomatic asylum" stating on Thursday:

"We remain committed to a diplomatic solution that allows us to carry out our obligations as a nation under the Extradition Act.

“It is important to understand that this is not about Mr Assange’s activities at Wikileaks or the attitude of the United States of America. He is wanted in Sweden to answer allegations of serious sexual offences.

As soon as Assange leaves the embassy, he will be arrested and extradited to Sweden

“Ecuador has expressed its concerns about the human rights of Mr Assange and sought guarantees from us in that area regarding his extradition to Sweden and indeed about any onward extradition and we have painstakingly explained the extensive human rights safeguards built into our law.

“No-one, least of all the government of Ecuador, should be in any doubt that we are determined to carry out our legal obligation to see Mr Assange extradited to Sweden.

"He faces serious charges in a country with the highest standards of law and where his rights are guaranteed. We believe that should be assurance enough for Ecuador and any supporters of Mr Assange."

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