WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been granted asylum by Ecuador, Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño just announced in Quito.
Enlarge Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Now, the question becomes whether Great Britain will allow Assange to leave Ecuador’s embassy in London so that he can travel to the South American nation that is offering him refuge.
As Eyder wrote Wednesday, back in June, Assange sought refuge at Ecuador’s embassy. Sweden wants him extradited, in order to question him about allegations of sexual misconduct. Assange has said he fears persecution from the United States if he is extradited.
The Guardian was live blogging as Patiño anounced the news. It quotes him as saying:
“We can state that there is a risk that he [Assange] will be persecuted politically … We trust the UK will offer the necessary guarantees so that both governments can act adequately and properly respect international rights and the right of asylum.”
Earlier, Ecuador accused the U.K. of threatening to storm the embassy in a bid to arrest Assange, the BBC reports.
Article source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/08/16/158919615/ecuador-gives-wikileaks-assange-asylum?ft=1&f=1001