Assange reportedly turned himself in to police at 9:30am (local time). He is expected to appear before the City of Westminster court later on Tuesday (London time).

He has recently been staying in south-east England.

This is important to note! Assange handed himself in to authorities, who then formally 'arrested him'.

In a related story from The Drum (ABC News) - Open letter calls for Gillard to defend Assange

A group of almost 200 prominent names have appealed to Prime Minister Julia Gillard to defend WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Many prominent US figures have called for Mr Assange's death since his whistleblower organisation began releasing hundreds of US diplomatic cables last month.

And Ms Gillard has been accused by Mr Assange's lawyers of prejudicing any case against him by claiming he is "guilty of illegality" for leaking the documents.

But in the open letter posted on the ABC's Drum website, figures such as writer Noam Chomsky, former Family Court chief justice Alastair Nicholson, retired intelligence officer Lance Collins and actor Max Gillies call on Ms Gillard to ensure Mr Assange's safety in light of the inflammatory rhetoric surrounding WikiLeaks.

"We therefore call upon you to condemn, on behalf of the Australian Government, calls for physical harm to be inflicted upon Mr Assange and to state publicly that you will ensure Mr Assange receives the rights and protections to which he is entitled, irrespective of whether the unlawful threats against him come from individuals or states," they write.

 

via http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/07/3087189.htm

It is a clear cut case of discriminating on the basis of international-political-browny-points!

Sylvestor

By Peter Kemp, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, on 2010-12-04

Dear Prime Minister
From the Sydney Morning Herald I note you made a comment of "illegal" on the matter of Mr Assange in relation to the ongoing leaks of US diplomatic cables.

Previously your colleague and Attorney General the Honourable McClelland announced an investigation of possible criminality by Mr Assange.

As a lawyer and citizen I find this most disturbing, particularly so when a brief perusal of the Commonwealth Criminal Code shows that liability arises under the Espionage provisions, for example, only when it is the Commonwealth's "secrets" that are disclosed and that there must be intent to damage the Commonwealth.

Likewise under Treason law, there must be an intent to assist an enemy. Clearly, and reinforced by publicly available material such as Professor Saul's excellent article:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/dont-cry-over-wikil...
...Julian Assange has almost certainly committed no crime under Australian law in relation to his involvement in Wikileaks.

I guess David Hicks was afforded special dispensation from the US by the Australian Government because he was innocent, rather than him being Australian? Yes?

I too am curious about the stance taken by Julia Gillard. It is unfortunate that very few Australian politicians will have the balls to take a stance on the issue outside of the US line. It is a real shame.

I neither support nor condemn Assange.

When the individuals that scan, photocopy, email confidential/secret information to a whistle-blower website, they must be the ones to face the legal/moral music of their employer/country etc. Then again, whistle-blowing only seems to be okay when it is convenient to those holding the power ;)

Sylvestor

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is at risk of being assassinated over the release of secret US documents and will remain in hiding for his own security, the website's spokesman said this morning.

Spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said the Australian's safety was at stake after US politicians called for him to face treason charges and an adviser to Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper reportedly said he should be killed.

Would the Australian Government allow one of its allies to put a 'citizen' up on treason charges or support a bid for that 'citizen' to be assassinated?

Seems ridiculous, but that appears to be what is being reported in our media today!

Sylvestor