The British Consulate-General in Duesseldorf has received a poison-laced letter demanding the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from Belmarsh prison.
The suspicious letter was reportedly received by the Consulate-General in the capital of the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Tuesday, 15th March.
And investigators reportedly said yesterday (Wednesday) that it was laced with a toxic, potentially deadly compound of mercury.
In the letter, the sender reportedly demanded the release of Julian Assange from Belmarsh maximum-security prison in London, where he has been confined since April 2019.
(Google Maps/Newsflash)
The sender also reportedly demanded that the British authorities refuse to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to the US authorities, who want to try Assange for espionage.
If found guilty, the 50-year-old Australian faces up to 175 years in prison.
Following the incident at the Consulate-General in Duesseldorf, diplomatic missions of both the UK and the USA were reportedly warned to be vigilant about similar attacks.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
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Julian Assange is accused of publishing a series of leaks provided by US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning, 34.
Critics claim his actions endangered the lives of US informants, whereas his supporters see him as an investigative journalist who brought war crimes to light.
The WikiLeaks founder last hit headlines two days ago, when it was reported that the UK Supreme Court refused to allow him his latest appeal against extradition to the USA.
No information about the person who may have sent the poison letter was reported.
Newsflash has contacted the State Prosecutor’s Office to request a statement but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
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Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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