Julian Assange Replaced as WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief

  |  
Sep 26, 2018

One of the world’s foremost whistleblowing organizations has been forced to replace its editor-in-chief due to “extraordinary circumstances.”

“ANNOUNCEMENT: Assange appoints Hrafnsson Editor-in-Chief after six months of effective incommunicado detention, remains publisher,” said a Tweet by WikiLeaks.

“Due to extraordinary circumstances where Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been incommunicado (except for visits by his lawyers) for six months while arbitrarily detained in the Ecuadorian embassy Mr. Assange has appointed Kristinn Hrafnsson Editor in Chief of WikiLeaks. Mr. Assange will continue to be the publisher of WikiLeaks,” said an accompanying message.

Hrafnsson is an Icelandic investigative journalist and former WikiLeaks spokesperson.

Assange was granted asylum by Ecuador in August of 2012 and has been holed up in their embassy in London ever since. In 2010, after releasing controversial information from whistleblower Bradley Manning (now called Chelsea, still biologically male), Assange was accused of sexual assault by the Swedish government. He surrendered himself to British authorities, and fearing extradition to the United States, absconded his bail to take up permanent residency in the embassy.

“I condemn the treatment of Julian Assange that leads to my new role, but I welcome the responsibility to secure the continuation of the important work based on WikiLeaks ideals,” Hrafnsson said of his appointment.

Our Latest Articles