“There was effectively a violation to (Bini’s) right to freedom,” and his detention was “illegitimate and arbitrary,” judge Patricio Vaca said in his ruling, ordering his immediate release. The court will require Bini to periodically appear before authorities and banned him from leaving the country as investigations continue over his alleged hacking attacks. “Today we have shown my innocence for the first time and we will continue to demonstrate my innocence,” Bini told reporters after being released a few hours after the hearing. Ecuador has linked Bini to WikiLeaks’s Assange — a damaging charge, as Quito has declared that any person close to the Australian was therefore involved in a plot to destabilize President Lenin Moreno. And Assange could face 175 years in prison under US charges of violating the Espionage Act.

Source: The Guardian June 21, 2019 07:18 UTC