Surrounded by protesters and police keeping a close watch for any disturbance, Ecuador’s London embassy is subject to new investigations.
That is, observers have noticed a certain odor that appears to be coming from this noble edifice, although from exactly where is not clear.
Also, the nature of the odor, as to what it is, is subject to considerable debate.
Since Mr. Assange has not been seen or heard from for six weeks, there has been some murmuring amidst bystanders as to whether foul play is suspected.
Is it possible that Mr. Assange’s state of deterioration, as reported in worried tones in recent media, as to his health, has taken an even more dire turn for the worse?
In fact, is Assange being kept in an underground vault of some sort below the embassy, and in the process of more severe rot than had formerly been of concern?
All of this alarm accompanies talk that the new governing authorities of Ecuador are contemplating handing Mr. Assange over to British Authorities.
The British Authorities would then be likely to hand him over to The American Authorities.
His specific crime is having violated conditions of his parole six years ago when he was required to report morning and evening to authorities, as well as wear an ankle bracelet.
The case against him that required this condition has been dismissed. Charges were never made.
But the case provided pretext for harassment of Mr. Assange due to his political activity.
In 2012 he sought refuge in Ecuador’s Embassy, and was granted protection by Ecuador's President at that time, Rafael Correa.
In response to Britain’s threat to storm the Embassy back in 2012, Mr. Correa stated: “We are not a British Colony. No one is going to terrorize us.”
Mr. Correa is no longer President of Ecuador. The current government is taking a different position.
Specialists in odor studies summoned to the scene are now considering additional prospects for various fumes being observed as coming from the Embassy.
One of their number (requesting anonymity) says a committee of odor scientists have opened a new case study in imperium stercus et odores odoramentis (government with odors of dung).
“There is tell-tale sign with this syndrome,” he said, “which resembles a potato left in the refrigerator for several months, going soft and, yes, smelling like dung.”
