Menu
24/10/2011
Wikileaks Suspended Over Bank 'Blockade'
Whistle blowing site Wikileaks, that exposed a number of US war atrocities and embarrassing interdepartmental cables from foreign ambassadors, has been forced to close down due to a "blockade" by financial companies.
According to the site, Bank of America, VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and Western Union have all put a block on all payments to the site, which the site says has "destroyed 95% or our revenue" over the past ten months.
A statement by Wikileaks said its decision to publish the biggest leaks in journalistic history had triggered "aggressive retaliation from powerful groups".
"Since 7th December 2010 an arbitrary and unlawful financial blockade has been imposed by Bank of America, VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and Western Union.
"The blockade came into force within ten days of the launch of Cablegate as part of a concerted US-based, political attack that included vitriol by senior right wing politicians, including assassination calls against WikiLeaks staff."
Soon after the US cables went public, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate, called for the site's founder Julian Assange to be "hunted down" like the al-Qaeda leadership, while other Republican politicians called for a capital sentence against WikiLeaks personnel.
In a statement on the Wikileaks site on Monday, a spokesman for the organisation said: "The blockade is outside of any accountable, public process. It is without democratic oversight or transparency. The US government itself found that there were no lawful grounds to add WikiLeaks to a US financial blockade. But the blockade of WikiLeaks by politicized US finance companies continues regardless."
Donors wishing to contribute to WikiLeaks must now send money to two European bank accounts instead of donating conveniently by card. One of the few other methods is through the micro-donation site flattr.com.
(DW/GK)
According to the site, Bank of America, VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and Western Union have all put a block on all payments to the site, which the site says has "destroyed 95% or our revenue" over the past ten months.
A statement by Wikileaks said its decision to publish the biggest leaks in journalistic history had triggered "aggressive retaliation from powerful groups".
"Since 7th December 2010 an arbitrary and unlawful financial blockade has been imposed by Bank of America, VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and Western Union.
"The blockade came into force within ten days of the launch of Cablegate as part of a concerted US-based, political attack that included vitriol by senior right wing politicians, including assassination calls against WikiLeaks staff."
Soon after the US cables went public, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate, called for the site's founder Julian Assange to be "hunted down" like the al-Qaeda leadership, while other Republican politicians called for a capital sentence against WikiLeaks personnel.
In a statement on the Wikileaks site on Monday, a spokesman for the organisation said: "The blockade is outside of any accountable, public process. It is without democratic oversight or transparency. The US government itself found that there were no lawful grounds to add WikiLeaks to a US financial blockade. But the blockade of WikiLeaks by politicized US finance companies continues regardless."
Donors wishing to contribute to WikiLeaks must now send money to two European bank accounts instead of donating conveniently by card. One of the few other methods is through the micro-donation site flattr.com.
(DW/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 November 2011
Job Losses Loom As Another RBS Closure Announced
According to Unite union nearly 500 jobs will be lost when the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) closes its site at Bristol. The closure,which will see 440 staff lose their jobs, comes as part of the cuts announced last year when the bank revealed that up to 3,000 jobs would be lost.
Job Losses Loom As Another RBS Closure Announced
According to Unite union nearly 500 jobs will be lost when the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) closes its site at Bristol. The closure,which will see 440 staff lose their jobs, comes as part of the cuts announced last year when the bank revealed that up to 3,000 jobs would be lost.
12 October 2015
Met Police End Presence Outside Wikileaks Founder's Refuge
A police presence outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has claimed asylum, is to be withdrawn, the Met Police have announced. Officers have been stationed outside the building since Mr Assange sought asylum to avoid being extradited to Sweden over a rape allegation in June 2012.
Met Police End Presence Outside Wikileaks Founder's Refuge
A police presence outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has claimed asylum, is to be withdrawn, the Met Police have announced. Officers have been stationed outside the building since Mr Assange sought asylum to avoid being extradited to Sweden over a rape allegation in June 2012.
24 February 2011
Assange Faces Extradition To Sweden
Following a hearing two weeks ago, a judge has ruled that Julian Assange should be extradited to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations. The Wikileaks founder is now set to appeal against the ruling made at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, in south London.
Assange Faces Extradition To Sweden
Following a hearing two weeks ago, a judge has ruled that Julian Assange should be extradited to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations. The Wikileaks founder is now set to appeal against the ruling made at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, in south London.
07 February 2011
Risk Of Injustice For Assange
The lawyer of Julian Assange has highlighted the risk of a "flagrant denial of justice" if the Wikileaks founder is tried for rape in Sweden. Discussing separate charges relating to Wikileaks, Geoffrey Robertson QC said he feared his client could face the death penalty if extradited to the US.
Risk Of Injustice For Assange
The lawyer of Julian Assange has highlighted the risk of a "flagrant denial of justice" if the Wikileaks founder is tried for rape in Sweden. Discussing separate charges relating to Wikileaks, Geoffrey Robertson QC said he feared his client could face the death penalty if extradited to the US.
25 March 2015
JLR Announce HQ Expansion
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a plan to "double the size of its operations" at its Coventry headquarters. The company said that a completed land deal in Whitley will mean that it can expand its base from 55 acres, to almost 120.
JLR Announce HQ Expansion
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a plan to "double the size of its operations" at its Coventry headquarters. The company said that a completed land deal in Whitley will mean that it can expand its base from 55 acres, to almost 120.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
