Assange policing costs near 30 million kronor
Published: 16 Feb 13 08:13 CET | Print version
Updated: 16 Feb 13 09:22 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/46224/20130216/
The costs of maintaining a police presence at the Ecuadorian embassy in London have totalled almost 30 million kronor ($4.7 million) following Julian Assange's decision to jump bail and seek asylum there last June.
- Assange's sex crimes accuser speaks out (16 May 13)
- 'Military mouthpiece' sets off WikiLeaks backlash (23 Apr 13)
- Extradition doesn't apply to Assange: judge (4 Apr 13)
Scotland Yard police headquarters estimated the total cost to the end of January at £2.9 million ($4.5 million) - £2.3 million in salary for the officers stationed on duty and the rest in overtime payments.
The embassy is a flat in a mansion block in west London's plush Knightsbridge district. It is across the street from the back of Harrods department store.
Assange, a 41-year-old Australian former computer hacker, founded the WikiLeaks anti-secrecy website which enraged Washington by releasing cables and war logs relating to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the biggest security breach in American history.
A spokesman at the Ecuadoran embassy said: "The Ecuadoran government is concerned by the significant cost to the taxpayers of London of policing the embassy".
"However, we believe this expenditure could be avoided if the UK government would provide the undertakings that the Ecuadoran government has sought that there will be no onward extradition of Julian Assange to the United States."
"The Home Office (Britain's interior ministry) has the power to offer such an assurance but has so far declined to do so."
"Until we obtain these undertakings, the Ecuadoran government will continue to protect Julian Assange's human rights that are enshrined in international law."
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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If we put it into context, and look at the Abu Hamza.
The costs associated with Assange are much higher, and for what? he is wanted for questioning.
This whole scenario is not about justice, but deterrent.
The only reason that so much cash is being pumped into all this is not to seek any form of judicial settlement, but to restrict a threat and look to and cut off in the hopes of shutting down a organisation that poses serious threats to political powers.
To The Local, Hello this is Europe. What would Americans say if articles used SEK or The Euro?
When it comes to insult Islam then we are not blocking any person because it is OK to use the "freedom of speech", but when it comes to government crimes then the same person is labelled as a treat to the national security. What a double faced westerns! Free this guy and let him to speak!
By the way, the sex law in Sweden must be changed as it always blames Males and girls go free, even those who fake story of rape.
The real problem is that he foolishly refused to acknowledge that freedom of speech comes with rights and responsibilities and appears to think that the ends justify the means. Had he replaced these immature impulses for intelligent coalition building, he could have had a significant, positive impact and the status he so obviously craves.
Instead he compounded it by thumbing his nose at the British and Swedish justice system, complains that everyone is complicit with the US, and feels that he should have some special dispensation from having to explain his behaviour or accept consequences for it. Shades of narcissism? Ja!
The Economist uses that "faraway currency," the dollar. As do most respectable international publications.
Deal with it.
I just feel sorry for all the poor taxpayers of the world the 97 Percent of us who pay the most taxes on the Globe ! its True Do the Maths We support all these Stupid So Called Leaders !
Many must wish that Mr Assange was put on a plane to Sweden, at the end of the legal hearings - to let the Swedes sort out this mess. As it is, the UK are now committed to this expense, as they agreed to implement the respective legislation, and they are worried that it would set a precedent to allow a suspect to set out the terms under which he will be extradited
I had planned another form of response to your comment, but it seems The Local has been professional and changed the original text. Well don't The Local.
I do like women but not the system where it only blames men. You would find out how the Swedish Judaical system are in favor of women then men once your partner anmäla you ;)