The Ecuadorian government spent more than $5 million since 2012 for intelligence operations designed to support WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who took refuge in the London Ecuadoran embassy to avoid being returned to Sweden to face sexual assault charges. The extensive intelligence operation by Ecuador included spying on visitors to the embassy and intercepting communications. Guardian: The agency used a "special expenses" budget to pay for CCTV cameras to be installed in the embassy weeks after Assange moved in. At the same time, documents show an international security company was contracted to secretly film and monitor all activity in the embassy.  The company installed a team who provided 24/7 security, with two people on shift at a time, based at a £2,800-a-month flat in an Edwardian mansion building round the corner from the Knightsbridge embassy. ... The security personnel recorded in minute detail Assange's daily activities,...(Read Full Post)