Ecuador’s external affairs ministry will on Wednesday morning present to the country’s president the results of its deliberations on the request for asylum from WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (pictured).
Assange has taken refuge at Ecuador’s embassy in London since June. He is likely to be arrested by British police for breaching his bail conditions if he emerges from the embassy, an issue that Ecuador will have to resolve with the UK government if it decides on asylum for Assange.
A report on Assange’s request will be presented to president Rafael Correa for his decision, said Ricardo Patiño Aroca, Ecuador’s minister for external affairs, trade and integration, in a tweet. The minister did not say whether a decision would be taken at the meeting.
Earlier, British newspaper The Guardian reported that Correa has agreed to grant Assange asylum, citing unnamed officials within Ecuador’s government – a claim later denied.
The whistle-blowing website has published leaked diplomatic cables and other information that embarrassed several governments and international businesses.
Assange’s request for asylum came after he lost a fight in the UK Supreme Court to block his extradition to Sweden for questioning for allegations of sexual offences. Assange’s supporters fear that from Sweden, he could be transferred to the US to face charges under the country’s Espionage Act.
Assange, an Australian citizen, is said to have written in June to the Ecuador government stating that following statements from his country, it was impossible for him to return to his home country and puts him "in a state of helplessness by being requested to be interrogated by the Kingdom of Sweden, where its top officials have openly attacked me, and investigated me for political crimes in the United States of America, a country where the death penalty for such offenses is still in force."
IDG News Service
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