Lawyer: Ecuador spread lies about WikiLeaks founder Assange

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gestures as he arrives at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London after he was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police and taken into custody Thursday, April 11, 2019. Police in London arrested Assange at the Ecuadorean embassy for failing to surrender to the court in 2012, shortly after the South American nation revoked his asylum. (Photo by VICTORIA JONES / PA via AP)

LONDON — A lawyer representing jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says the Ecuadorian government has been spreading lies about his behavior inside its embassy in London.

Jennifer Robinson told Sky News on Sunday that Ecuador is making “pretty outrageous allegations” to justify allowing British police into its embassy Thursday in order to take Assange into custody.

Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno withdrew Assange’s political asylum this week, opening the way for his seizure by British police.

Robinson says Assange has had “a very difficult time” since Moreno came to power in 2017.

Assange is jailed in Britain for jumping bail and faces an extradition request from the United States for conspiracy. Sweden also is considering reviving a rape investigation of him.

His next court appearance is May 2 via video link.

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