In 2010, Wikileaks published a secret American video in which American soldiers shoot at civilians in Baghdad from Apache helicopters. A dozen people were killed in the attack. The event received enormous international attention and the founder of Wikileaks became in many people's eyes the hero who revealed America's abuse of power and a champion of free speech.

Suspected of rape

But a lot has happened since then. Now the image of Assange is disputed. He is suspected of, among other things, rape, sexual harassment and unlawful coercion in connection with a visit to Sweden in 2010.

The preliminary investigation was closed after many trips, when Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. But the nearly seven-year exile came to an abrupt end when Ecuador lifted the political asylum the country had previously given him.

Assange risks being handed over to the United States

On April 11, 2019, Assange was arrested by British police in London and is now at risk of being handed over to the United States. There he risks a long prison sentence for a total of 18 crimes including conspiracy and espionage. This is what the British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood is now protesting against.

As for the rape suspicions against Assange, the arrest warrant has been revoked and the limitation period expires in August this year.

See the protest in the clip above