WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speaks out tonight on AC360 about the Obama administration’s surveillance programs. Assange calls Edward Snowden, the 29-year-old who says he leaked documents on the programs, a “heroic young man.”
Assange blasts the White House telling Anderson “you can’t trust any sort of statement” made by them on the controversial tracking of telephone calls and online activity. He argues there’s no validity to a secret “worldwide surveillance” program and says it’s time to stop the collection of information.
Assange talked to Anderson from the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he fled about a year ago to avoid extradition to Sweden where he’s wanted for questioning over rape and sexual assault allegations. Assange has denied the accusations and fears Sweden will transfer him to the United States to face charges over his WikiLeaks website.
Those concerns are connected to former U.S. Army intelligence analyst, Pfc. Bradley Manning, who is currently facing trial for leaking classified U.S. government documents to WikiLeaks while serving in Iraq. Manning is accused of aiding America’s enemies. Assange calls the case against Manning a “travesty.”
Watch a preview of Anderson’s interview with Assange above and see more at 8 and 10 p.m. ET tonight.