Assange arrest plan revealed accidentally

LONDON

A document is held by a British police, which outlines that ‘Assange to be arrested under all circumstances,’ if he comes out of the Embassy. AP photo

British police accidentally let slip their plans to arrest Julian Assange should he leave the Ecuadoran embassy in London, with pictures of their notes appearing in newspapers on Aug. 25.

A policeman outside the embassy was photographed by Britain’s Press Association news agency carrying a handwritten document marked “restricted” and “decision, supporting rationale.” It said the WikiLeaks founder was to be arrested “under all circumstances” should he step outside the embassy.

The document suggested that if Assange attempted to leave the embassy in a vehicle, under diplomatic immunity or in a diplomatic bag, then he should be arrested. Britain says it is legally obliged to extradite him to Sweden, over sex crimes allegations. The document also warns of the “possibility of distraction,” suggesting police fear that his supporters might try to cause a commotion, providing Assange with enough cover to leave.

“Our objective is to arrest Julian Assange for breach of bail. Under no circumstances would any arrest be made which was in breach of diplomatic immunity,” a Scotland Yard spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said he believed his country had overcome a diplomatic spat with Britain over its threat to enter the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in order to arrest Assange.
“We believe that this unfortunate incident is over,” said Correa. “It was a mistake for the British Foreign Office to say that they would enter our embassy.”