Assange is prepared for life in Ecuador
Source: Agencies |
June 23, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
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WIKILEAKS founder Julian Assange said he was ready for a life in Ecuador and said the country had been "quite supportive" of his bid for asylum.
Assange is holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London, where he has sought asylum in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning on sexual assault charges, and he faces arrest by British police if he leaves the embassy.
In an telephone interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp radio yesterday from the embassy, Assange said he was worried about being sent to the US to face possible charges related to the WikiLeaks website, which published thousands of leaked US diplomatic cables in 2010.
"The Ecuadorean people have been quite supportive. I heard (the) Ecuadorean ambassador in Australia has been making supportive comments. They are sympathetic over a long period of time," he said.
"We hope the asylum application will be viewed favorably."
He said he had no indication of when Ecuador would decide on his asylum claim, and said his move was aimed at raising awareness of US moves to prosecute him over the 2010 leaks.
Leftist Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa reiterated on Thursday that his government plans to do a very thorough analysis of Assange's application before making a decision.
"We could not allow that a person who has asked for asylum may have to face the death penalty, especially for political crimes," Correa said.
Assange fears that if sent to Sweden, he would then be extradited to the US where he believes he could face criminal charges punishable by death. His case was before a US grand jury, which would decide whether charges could be laid, he said.
Assange is holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London, where he has sought asylum in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning on sexual assault charges, and he faces arrest by British police if he leaves the embassy.
In an telephone interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp radio yesterday from the embassy, Assange said he was worried about being sent to the US to face possible charges related to the WikiLeaks website, which published thousands of leaked US diplomatic cables in 2010.
"The Ecuadorean people have been quite supportive. I heard (the) Ecuadorean ambassador in Australia has been making supportive comments. They are sympathetic over a long period of time," he said.
"We hope the asylum application will be viewed favorably."
He said he had no indication of when Ecuador would decide on his asylum claim, and said his move was aimed at raising awareness of US moves to prosecute him over the 2010 leaks.
Leftist Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa reiterated on Thursday that his government plans to do a very thorough analysis of Assange's application before making a decision.
"We could not allow that a person who has asked for asylum may have to face the death penalty, especially for political crimes," Correa said.
Assange fears that if sent to Sweden, he would then be extradited to the US where he believes he could face criminal charges punishable by death. His case was before a US grand jury, which would decide whether charges could be laid, he said.
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