Russian artist 'holds $45 million worth of art hostage to free Julian Assange': Andrei Molodkin vows to dissolve masterpieces by Picasso and Rembrandt in acid using 'Dead Man's Switch' in 29-ton safe as WikiLeaks founder in prison dies

A Russian artist has vowed to use acid to destroy masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt and Andy Warhol if Julian Assange dies in prison.

Andrei Molodkin claims to have collected sixteen works of art that he claims are worth a total of $45 million, and is now threatening to destroy them if his demands are not met.

The artworks, he claims, are being stored in a 29-ton safe containing an “extremely corrosive” substance, and will only be returned to their owners when Assange is released from prison.

The WikiLeaks founder is awaiting the results of his latest appeal against his extradition to the US, where he faces charges of espionage and up to 175 years in prison.

The controversial artist backing his release claims his vault will be locked on Friday and its contents will disappear completely if the 'Dead Man's Switch' timer is not reset daily.

The 24-hour countdown timer will only be reset, he says, if “someone close to Assange” confirms every day that he is alive.

Andrei Molodkin claims to have collected sixteen works of art that he claims are worth $45 million, and is now threatening to destroy them

WikiLeaks founder Assange is awaiting the results of his latest appeal against his extradition to the US, where he faces charges of espionage and up to 175 years in prison

It comes amid concerns from Assange's supporters that he is suffering from ill health, with his lawyer saying his “life is in danger” if he is extradited.

“In our catastrophic times – when we have so many wars – destroying art is much more taboo than destroying a person's life,” Molodkin said. Sky News.

“Since Julian Assange has been in prison…freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of information has been increasingly suppressed. I have this feeling very strongly now.'

Molodkin previously made headlines after dousing copies of Prince Harry's memoir Spare in 'blood' to protest his revelation that the fighters were killed while serving in Afghanistan.

The sculptor is a former Soviet army soldier, anti-war activist and Russian dissident, now living in the south of France.

He previously created a large portrait of Vladimir Putin using blood donated by Ukrainian soldiers. He says he cannot return to Russia because he fears he will be jailed by Putin's regime for his work.

His latest stunt, he claims, was done with the help of artists and donors who gave him art as a show of support for Assange.

In the lock-up, two white barrels are depicted next to crates that would contain the works of art

Assange's wife Stella supports the Dead Man's Switch project, which she called 'a work of art' (file image)

He has declined to identify the exact works in the vault, but says it contains some of his own work, as well as art by Picasso, Rembrandt, Warhol, Jasper Johns, Jannis Kounellis, Robert Rauschenberg, Sarah Lucas and others.

A Milan gallery owner claims he supplied a Picasso piece for the vault and signed a non-disclosure agreement to reveal which one.

Giampaolo Abbondio, who has known Molodkin for years, said he initially said he would offer the work “in no way” but was later convinced.

“It made me think that it is more relevant for the world to have one Assange than an extra Picasso, so I decided to accept it,” he told Sky.

Molodkin would keep the safe in his studio in southern France before moving it to a museum.

The sculptor is a former Soviet army soldier and Russian dissident, now living in the south of France

Afghan and Iraqi people donated blood for a work of art by Molodkin entitled Royal Blood. The image was projected onto St Paul's Cathedral in protest against Prince Harry's role in the Afghan war

Molodkin previously made a large portrait of Vladimir Putin using blood from Ukrainian soldiers

In the lock-up, two white barrels are depicted next to crates that would contain the works of art.

One of the barrels, Molodkin claims, contains acid powder, while the other contains an accelerator that could cause a chemical reaction that would completely decimate the works.

Assange's wife Stella supports the Dead Man's Switch project, which she called “a work of art.”

“Julian's political imprisonment is an act of real terrorism against democracy.

“The real targets here are not just Julian Assange, but the public's right to know, and the future of holding power accountable.

“If democracy wins, the art will be preserved, as will Julian's life.”

The WikiLeaks founder has been held in the high-security HMP Belmarsh prison in south-east London since April 2019, after being forcibly removed from Ecuador's embassy when his seven-year diplomatic asylum was revoked.

A public hearing will take place on February 20 and 21, which is considered Assange's last chance to avoid extradition.