Because someone who knows a shitload more about computers than I do told me that Assange's stuff was being hosted/stored on Russian computers. A few years ago, there was a large trove of Russian documents out there that Wikileaks refused to release "because they couldn't be authenticated." (Code for 'we'd rather not drink polonium-laced tea.")
That the Russians released a statement expressing hope that Assange's rights will be respected is telling.
Wikileaks would seem to have been, at least at times, a Russian false-flag/sock-puppet operation.