Ecuadorian court revokes citizenship for Julian Assange

Ecuador has revoked the citizenship of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks who is currently in a British prison.

class='cf'>

Ecuador's justice system formally notified the Australian of the nullity of his naturalization in a letter that came in response to a claim filed by the South American country's Foreign Ministry.

A naturalization is considered damaging when it is granted based on the concealment of relevant facts, false documents or fraud. Ecuadorian authorities say Assange's naturalization letter had multiple inconsistencies, different signatures, the possible alteration of documents and unpaid fees, among other issues.

Carlos Poveda, Assange's lawyer, told The Associated Press the decision was made without due process and Assange was not allowed to appear in the case.

"On the date [Assange] was cited he was deprived of his liberty and with a health crisis inside the deprivation of liberty center where he was being held," Poveda said.

Poveda said he will file appeals asking for an amplification and clarification of the decision. "More than the importance of nationality, it is a matter of respecting rights and following due process in withdrawing nationality."

class='cf'>

Assange received Ecuadorian citizenship in January 2018 as part of a failed attempt by the government of then-

President Lenin Moreno to turn him into a diplomat to get him out of its embassy in London.

On July 26, the Pichincha Court for Contentious Administrative Matters revoked this decision.

Ecuador's Foreign Ministry told AP the court had "acted independently and followed due process in a case that took place during the previous government and that was raised by the same previous government."

Assange, 50, has been...