LONDON – WikiLeaks on Wednesday named one-time spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson as its new editor-in-chief. The ramifications of the move are unclear.
The organization was founded and has been led for more than a decade by Julian Assange, the 47-year-old ex-hacker, but the silver-haired Australian has been isolated for years at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.
In a statement, WikiLeaks said:
Julian Assange
Due to extraordinary circumstances where Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks has been held incommunicado (except visits by his lawyers) for six months while arbitrarily detained in the Ecuadorian embassy, Mr Assange has appointed Kristinn Hrafnsson Editor in Chief of WikiLeaks. Mr Assange will continue to be the publisher of WikiLeaks.
Mr Hrafnsson is an Icelandic investigative journalist selected in 2010 as Icelandic journalist of the year (his third award) for his role in the Collateral Murder publishing collaboration with WikiLeaks. That same year, he became spokersperson for the organization and kept that post until 2016. Since then he has overseen certain legal projects for WikiLeaks.
Kristin Hrafnsson says:
“I condemn the treatment of Julian Assange that leads to my new role, but I welcome the responsibility to secure the continuation of the important work based on WikiLeaks ideals.”
Assange had his communications cut in March by Ecuador’s new president, and Wednesday’s statement said he remained “incommunicado.”
WikiLeaks‘ job titles have proven fluid over the years. Assange has variously described himself as the group’s spokesman, publisher and editor.
Hrafnsson told The Associated Press that it “remains to be seen” whether the change in responsibility would be permanent or temporary.
He hung up when asked further questions Wednesday, saying he was busy cooking dinner.
