Julian Assange Seeks Asylum In Ecuador

Julian Assange Seeks Asylum In Ecuador

Julian Assange, WikiLeaks chief is trying to escape London. He took refuge in Ecuador‘s embassy in London and is seeking political asylum in Ecuador. This has been confirmed by his organization.

Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said the leftist government of President Rafael Correa was weighing the request. He did not indicate when a decision might be made.

The move comes less than a week after Britain’s Supreme Court rejected Assange’s bid to reopen his attempts to block extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning after two women accused him of sexual misconduct during a visit to the country in mid-2010. He denies the allegations.

“I am grateful to the Ecuadorian ambassador and the government of Ecuador for considering my application,” Assange said in a brief statement.

WikiLeaks confirmed its leader’s request for political asylum on its Twitter account, but calls, texts, and emails seeking further comment from Assange and other WikiLeaks members weren’t immediately answered.

Ecuador’s mission in London said Assange will “remain at the embassy, under the protection of the Ecuadorian government,” while his application is considered.

“The decision to consider Mr Assange’s application for protective asylum should in no way be interpreted as the Government of Ecuador interfering in the judicial processes of either the United Kingdom or Sweden,” the embassy statement added.

In November 2010, Ecuador’s deputy foreign minister said the country was offering residency to Assange. However, Correa told reporters the following day that neither he nor Patino had approved the offer and that it would need to be studied.

Julian Assange was also offered residency in Tunisia according to a TV report. But how far this is true is really not known.