Julian Assange has been dragged from the Ecuadorian embassy in London and arrested by British police.
The Australian has been living there for the past seven years, however Ecuador's president said his living status has been revoked due to 'repeated violations to international conventions and daily-life protocols'.
President Lenin Moreno has requested the UK authorities not extradite him 'to a country where he could face the death penalty or torture'.
The Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement: "Julian Assange, 47, has today been arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) at the Embassy of Ecuador, Hans Crescent, on a warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates' Court on 29 June 2012, for failing to surrender to the court.
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"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."
Videos from outside the embassy show the Wikileaks founder being dragged by more than six officers.
Wikileaks has tweeted, saying: "Julian Assange did not 'walk out of the embassy'. The Ecuadorian ambassador invited British police into the embassy and he was immediately arrested."
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The organisation foreshadowed his expulsion last week, writing on Twitter: "A high level source within the Ecuadorian state has told @WikiLeaks that Julian Assange will be expelled within "hours to days" using the #INAPapers offshore scandal as a pretext--and that it already has an agreement with the UK for his arrest."
Assange fled to the embassy in 2012 to avoid being sent to Sweden where he is wanted over sexual assault allegations.
Sweden dropped the case in May 2017 however prosecutor Marianne Ny said it could be reopened if Assange was in the country.
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UK Foreign Office minister Alan Duncan has said in a statement: "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."
Assange's friend Pamela Anderson has reacted to the news, saying: "I am in shock..I couldn't hear clearly what he said? He looks very bad. How could you Ecuador ? (Because he exposed you).
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"How could you UK. ? Of course - you are America's bitch and you need a diversion from your idiotic Brexit bullshit."
Featured Image Credit: Ruptly