https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/11/julian-assange-holding-gore-vidal-book-during-london-arrest-wikileaks/3433600002/
Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, was holding Gore Vidal book during arrest
The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange held on to a book about America author Gore Vidal as he was arrested Thursday in London.
The book entitled "Gore Vidal: History of the National Security State" focuses on the "historical events that led to the establishment of the massive military-industrial-security complex," according to the book's description. The book features interviews conducted with Vidal by Paul Jay, senior editor of the Real News Network, on a number of political topics.
The book was spotted in Assange's hand as he was pulled from the Ecuadorian embassy, where he was arrested on a U.S. extradition warrant. Hours later, the U.S. Department of Justice released an indictment in which a federal grand jury charged Assange with a federal hacking conspiracy charge.
Prosecutors allege Assange conspired with Chelsea Manning, a former Army intelligence analyst, to assist with cracking a password for Defense Department computers that housed government secrets
Assange reportedly sat calmly reading the book at Westminster Magistrates Court ahead of a hearing Thursday. He pleaded innocent to one charge that he failed to surrender to a Sweden extradition order. His lawyer stated Thursday he vows to fight extradition to the U.S.
More: Julian Assange indictment: Read the grand jury indictment against the WikiLeaks founder
Assange or anyone from his camp hasn't provided an explanation for why he had the book, but plenty took notice on social media.
Gore Vidal died in 2012 at age 86 and was known for being outspoken on politics and sex. His more famous works are Myra Breckenridge (1970), Burr (1973) and Lincoln (1984).
Gore Vidal: History of the national security state
Gore Vidal narrates in this video
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