Julian Assange was dramatically arrested and dragged from the Ecuadorian embassy by police today.
The 47-year-old founder of Wikileaks, who took refuge in the embassy nearly seven years ago, was arrested on Thursday by police.
He was arrested for failing to surrender to the court and was taken in custody to a central London police station this morning.
Assange was also arrested on behalf of American officials in relation to an extradition warrant and charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for agreeing to break a password to a classified US Government computer.
He was attending a hearing a Westminster Magistrates' Court in the afternoon.
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Assange was shouting and gesticulating as he was carried out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in handcuffs by seven men and put into a waiting Met Police van, video footage showed.
He appeared to be carrying a book.
Supporters of Assange reported increased police activity at the embassy last weekend.
Two armed officers went into the building on Saturday and people taking part in a vigil said teams of plain clothes officers were outside the embassy throughout the weekend.
A number of surveillance cameras have been positioned opposite the embassy.
Assange removed from the Ecuadorian embassy in London (www.ruptly.tv)
Europe and the Americas minister Sir Alan Duncan said: "It is absolutely right that Assange will face justice in the proper way in the UK. It is for the courts to decide what happens next.
"We are very grateful to the government of Ecuador under President Moreno for the action they have taken.
"Today's events follow extensive dialogue between our two countries. I look forward to a strong bilateral relationship between the UK and Ecuador in the years ahead."
Earlier, Wikileaks' editor-in-chief claimed that Julian Assange is subject to a dystopian level of surveillance akin to ‘The Truman Show’ inside Ecuador’s embassy in London.
Kristinn Hrafnsson also claimed documents had been obtained by blackmailers who threatened to release the information unless they received payment of three million euros.
“Wikileaks has uncovered an extensive spying operation against Julia Assange within the Ecuadorian Embassy. It entails a total invasion of privacy,” he told a press conference.
Julian Assange has lived in the embassy since 2012 ( Jack Taylor/Getty Images )
WikiLeaks founder arrested by police and removed from Ecuadorian embassy
Julian Assange was today dramatically arrested by police and removed from the Ecuadorian embassy after spending more than six years holed up inside.
The WikiLeaks founder was taken into custody on Thursday after Ecuador abruptly withdrew asylum for him.
He was arrested for failing to surrender to the court and was taken in custody to a central London police station this morning.
Arrest: Julian Assange has been detained by Met Police and removed from the Ecuadorian embassy ( Jack Taylor/Getty Images )
Ecuador's president Lenin Moreno said on Twitter: "In a sovereign decision Ecuador withdrew the asylum status to Julian Assange after his repeated violations to international conventions and daily-life protocols."
The Met Police have released this statement:
Julian Assange, 47, has today, Thursday 11 April, been arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service at the Embassy of Ecuador, Hans Crescent, SW1 on a warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates' Court on 29 June 2012, for failing to surrender to the court.
He has been taken into custody at a central London police station where he will remain, before being presented before Westminster Magistrates' Court as soon as is possible.
The MPS had a duty to execute the warrant, on behalf of Westminster Magistrates' Court, and was invited into the embassy by the Ambassador, following the Ecuadorian government's withdrawal of asylum.
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