JULIAN Assange was arrested in a way that ensured he wouldn't be able to press a mysterious panic button he claimed would have 'devastating consequences' to the Ecuadorean embassy.
The WikiLeaks founder is currently facing decades behind bars in the US after cops dramatically hauled him out of the embassy in Kensington, west London yesterday.
Assange's relationship with his hosts steadily declined over his seven-year stay in the embassy, with bizarre reports regarding his behaviour and personal hygiene emerging since his arrest.
He was said to have smeared his own poo all over the building's walls in a protest and annoyed staff by skateboarding late at night.
Now it has been revealed that his swift arrest was designed to stop him pressing an emergency panic button.
Ecuador's foreign minister Jose Valencia said audio recordings from a few months ago captured Assange threatening ambassador Jaime Merchan with pressing the button which would have "devastating consequences" for the embassy if he was arrested.
British authorities were told about the threat — which cops acted on by not allowing Assange to return to his room in the embassy during his arrest to carry out any secret plans.
But it's not yet clear what was meant by the panic button threat.
SEVEN-YEARS IN HIDING
The US Department of Justice has indicted Assange in connection with the publication of damaging classified Iraq war files - which it called "one of the largest compromises of classified information in US history."
This carries a maximum sentence of five years - but it's believed Assange will be levelled with dozens more charges once he arrives in the states.
Among them, he could be accused of espionage - a crime that can carry a 20-year sentence.
A hairy and dishevelled Assange spent 2,487 days holed up in the west London embassy to avoid sex assault claims in Sweden.
He feared being sent to the States - where he was wanted over an alleged hacking conspiracy with whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
During that time his health has deteriorated as a result of a lack of sunlight, a WikiLeaks source told the Mirror.
BLASTED AS A 'NARCISSIST'
In court yesterday, the 47-year-old was blasted a "narcissist who can't get beyond his own self interest" as he was found guilty of skipping bail in 2012 - relating to his time at the embassy.
District Judge Michael Snow described Assange's claim he's never had a fair hearing as "laughable" before ruling the US must produce an extradition case by June 12.
He now faces a battle against extradition to the US where he was today charged over the Iraq War Logs.
It came as four Assange supporters tried to go to the British Consulate in New York to protest over his arrest - but turned up at the wrong building.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
Julian Assange found guilty of skipping bail in UK and could face a year in jail
He was arrested after 2,487 days holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London - costing taxpayers more than ?10m
Assange went into hiding in August 2012 to avoid facing extradition to Sweden over sex assault and rape allegations
He is also wanted in US for on suspicion of espionage and publication of sensitive government documents
Assange fears he could face death penalty if extradited to US over WikiLeaks scandal
Ecuadorian President said Assange's release dependent on not facing extradition to country with death penalty
Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan said "UK courts will decide" his future
It's been revealed Assange staged 'dirty protests' while in Ecuador’s embassy
Swedish lawyers want to reopen the sex allegations which first sent Assange into hiding - a move which has cost the British taxpayer more than ?10m.
Wearing a black suit with his scruffy hair tied back, Assange sat in the dock yesterday reading Gore Vidal's History Of The National Security State - the book he clutched as he was bundled out of the embassy.
He waved to the public gallery at Westminster Magistrates' Court before he was remanded into custody.
He will now learn his fate at Southwark Crown Court on May 2.
DRAMATIC ARREST
The court heard cops had to call for back up as Assange tried to barge past them when they arrived at the embassy to arrest him - forcing officers to lift him from the building.
Assange was handcuffed and dragged screaming "this is unlawful" from the embassy by Met Police officers after Ecuador withdrew his asylum status.
As he was hauled to a waiting police van, he appeared to shout "the UK has no civility" and "the UK must resist".
Until yesterday, Assange hadn't left the embassy building since August 2012.
Last night, Assange was transferred to Wandsworth Prison in South West London - where he joined speedboat killer Jack Shepherd, another recaptured fugitive.
Assange faces up to 12 months in prison in the UK for the bail offence when he is sentenced next month.
HIDING FOR SEVEN YEARS
Assange took refuge at the embassy in 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden.
Authorities there wanted to question him as part of a sexual assault investigation.
Following his arrest yesterday one of his accusers demanded the case be reopened.
Scotland Yard earlier confirmed he is being held on behalf of the US authorities - where he is wanted for espionage.
America's involvement raises further questions over the forthcoming battle to be had on his extradition - as his lawyers fear he will face the death penalty if sent to the US.
But Ecuadorian President Moreno said today Britain had confirmed it would not extradite Assange to a country where he could face the death sentence.
'NO RESPECT'
As he was hauled off to court yesterday, Ecuadorian minister Maria Paula Romo slammed Assange for failing to show embassy officials even “minimum respect” while staying as a guest.
She said: “They tolerated things like Mr Assange putting faeces on the walls of the embassy and other types of behaviour of this kind that are far removed from the minimum respect a guest should have in a country which has generously welcomed him.”
After the arrest, Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan said Assange will face "justice in the proper way in the UK" and it will be "for the courts" to decide what happens next.
He insisted Assange would not be extradited to any country where he would stand to face the death penalty.
Confirming Assange's arrest, a Met Police spokesman said: "He has been taken into custody at a central London police station where he will remain.
"The MPS had a duty to execute the warrant, on behalf of Westminster Magistrates' Court, and was invited into the embassy by the Ambassador, following the Ecuadorian government's withdrawal of asylum."
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Julian Assange was arrested in relation to a provisional extradition request from the United States of America.
“He is accused in the United States of America of computer related offences.”