Could WikiLeaks founder take refuge in Panama? Don’t hold your breath

From the Sidelines

Could WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange end up in Panama, living alongside some of the notorious “refugees’ that the country harbors.?

We have welcomed those who have fled justice for high profile human rights or corruption

 crimes in their own countries, people who blew up planes and passengers, and more recently the head of Colombia’s secret police, accused of tapping the phones of political opponents, judges, and anyone who disagreed with the president.

Now, for Panama. There’s the rub.
Some of the WikiLeaks revelations have the former U.S. ambassador to Panama reporting that President Ricardo Martinelli wanted to involve the American DEA in tapping the phones of political opponents, something which the president and his team have strongly denied.
But if Assange were to see seek refuge in Panama, it’s unlikely that his application would ever reach the “in” basket.

On the other hand as there is , a move by the government to allow extradition of people wanted by the U.S,  Panama would only be a stepping stone to an American court room.
These thoughts came to the surface after reading a column in The First Post, a hard hitting on line publication in the UK.
“Unless [British Prime Minister) David Cameron changes the law quickly, then as soon as the Americans start extradition proceedings against Assange in a British court his goose will be cooked.
“So what can he do? None of the options look enticing.
“He could travel to somewhere remote and mountainous and fall in with a group of (preferably anti-American) fanatics and wait upon events: ¬ the Ratko Mladic option. But the winters are hard in Bosnia and the company unlikely to prove congenial.
“He could fake his own death and assume a new identity. A previous generation would have called this doing a John Stonehouse after the Labour MP (and communist spy) who disappeared off a Miami beach in 1974 only to reappear miraculously in Australia a few years later.
“In modern usage this is now more properly called doing a John Darwin after the insurance fraudster who 'drowned' in a canoeing accident off Hartlepool in 2007 and established a new life in Panama.
“This would have the added attraction of triggering the WikiLeaks 'insurance file' with its supposedly explosive information. But the downside would be considerable – living in obscure anonymity far from home for the rest of his life.
“Although he is an Australian he could take a traditionally British way out – join the French Foreign Legion. He is still just under the maximum age of 40. The nearest recruiting offices are in Paris or Lille ¬ just a Eurostar ride away.
“Probably the easiest course of action would be to leave the UK secretly or in disguise and travel to a country or territory where the long arm of the authorities doesn't quite reach.
“Ecuador looked promising but its president has now withdrawn an offer of refuge made by a junior minister. Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus, where Asil Nadir lived comfortably for 17 years, is an option. It has a gentle climate, spectacular scenery and good restaurants.
“If all else fails, he could give himself up to the Swedish authorities who have issued a warrant for his arrest for alleged sex crimes unrelated to WikiLeaks ¬ and take his chances with the Swedish courts.
“The Swedes do have an extradition treaty with the United States but it is not as one-sided as ours. Given their respect for free speech, a long tradition of neutrality, and Assange's Scarlet Pimpernel status, it is highly unlikely that he would ever be handed over to the US authorities.”
But in Panama he would be a goner.