SBS50: Biggest Story 2012

2012 was the year Australian Julian Assange, founder of internet whistle-blower site WikiLeaks, sought asylum in the Ecuador’s Embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning over sexual assault allegations.

EPA/DENNIS M. SABANGAN Credit: FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA

As front man for Wikileaks special brand of media insurgency, Assange’s public persona rose rapidly as he resolutely defended the publications of millions of classified documents - including video of the killing of Iraqi civilians by a US helicopter crew.

I thank President Correa for the courage he has shown in considering and in granting me political asylum.

Julian Assange

Three years on Assange remained a high-profile guest of the Ecuadorian embassy, still adamant that the case against him in Sweden is a pretence for extradition to face charges in the U-S.

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