We had mentioned Julian Assange and how he didn't keep his promise in a previous post. Of course, we also mentioned some characterizations that apparently weren't liked by people who don't "EAT HAY ANYMORE." This post therefore comes as a complement to the first one and not to correct it, as I choose to eat hay, but also to continue to believe that Assange is not what he is trying to show himself to be.
The WikiLeaks founder had promised in a tweet that he would agree to be extradited to the US if Barack Obama pardoned Chelsea Manning, something he did in the final hours of his presidency.
While Mr Julian Assange's lawyers initially seemed to indicate that their client would keep his promise, even telling reporters that he would carry out what he wrote, Mr Assange decided to remain inside the Ecuadorian embassy where he has been housed for several years.
Let's now look at two different tweets.
The first one happened last September:
If Obama grants Manning clemency, Assange will agree to US prison in exchange — despite its clear illegality https://t.co/MZU30S3Eia
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) September 15, 2016
and the second on January 12 (it is similar to the first, except that this one also includes an “accusation” for the Ministry of Justice):
“If Obama grants Manning a pardon, Assange will agree to be extradited to the US despite the Justice Department’s clear unconstitutionality.”
If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case https://t.co/MZU30SlfGK
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 12, 2017
On January 18th, and after several publications dealing with the issue, the following tweet was posted, meaning that Mr. Julian Assange will keep his promise, which in the end, no one asked him to make:
Assange lawyer @themtchair on Assange-Manning extradition 'deal': "Everything that he has said he's standing by."
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 18, 2017
Let's mention a small detail: Manning will not be released before May, to allow for the standard 120-day transition period, which gives officials time to prepare, according to The New York Times.
Here comes Mr. Barry Pollack, lawyer for Julian Assange:
“Mr Assange welcomes the announcement of Ms Manning’s sentence reduction and that she will be released in May, but this is not what he asked for.”
“Mr. Assange had called for Chelsea Manning to be pardoned and released immediately.”
The same statements in English:
"Mr. Assange welcomes the announcement that Ms. Manning's sentence will be reduced and she will be released in May, but this is well short of what he sought."
"Mr. Assange had called for Chelsea Manning to receive clemency and be released immediately."
Julian Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since the summer of 2012, refusing to surrender to Sweden, where he is wanted for alleged rape. The reason he has publicly stated is that he fears that if he leaves he will be extradited to the US on espionage charges.
WikiLeaks, meanwhile, appeared to imply that Assange would be treated better by the new President Trump.
“Assange is confident of winning any fair trial by the US Department of Justice. The Obama Justice Department prevented the trial and a fair jury in the public interest.”
