BRIEFS: Ecuador says Asange ill; Manning's lawyer details jail abuse

December 2, 2012
Issue 

Ecudor says Assange has chronic lung condition

Ecuador's ambassador to Britain, Ana Alba, told Ecuadorian TV that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has a chronic lung condition after spending months in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, ABC.net.au reported on November 30.

Alba said Assange's health was poor due to lack of sunlight and fresh air. Assange sought refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London in June to avoid extradition to Sweden. Many fear this would be the first step to extradition to the US, where authorities have prepared a secret sealed indictment against him over leaked US cables published by WikiLeaks exposing serious US crimes.

Despite Ecuador granting Assange asylum, Britain has threatened to arrest the WikiLeaks founder is he sets foot outside the embassy.

Alba said Assange's condition “could worsen at any time”.

Mannings lawyers report prison abuse

Bradley Manning, the US private accused leaking secret US diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks, was forced to stay in his cell for up to 23 hours a day and sleep naked, a pre-trial hearing into charges against him heard on November 27.

Britain's Morning Star said Manning's lawyers argue that he was illegally punished by being locked alone in a small cell for nine months.

The article said Manning's supporters packed the courtroom. They say his disclosures exposed a litany of war crimes.

Manning faces a possible life sentence if he is found guilty of the most serious charge against him ― aiding the enemy.

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