WikiLeaks founder granted political asylum by Ecuador government

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange has been granted political asylum by Ecuador two months after taking refuge in the London embassy.

There were fears that this announcement will increase tensions between the U.K. and the South American country, which has been warned that the situation could have “serious implications” for diplomatic relations.

Mr. Assange sought sanctuary in the embassy in Knightsbridge in an effort to avoid deportation to Sweden, where he faces sexual assault charges.

The news came after Ecuadorian officials at the besieged embassy, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is staying; today expressed their disappointment regarding the relations between the two countries had deteriorated to such an extent.

Ecuadorian ministers have accused the U.K. of threatening to “attack” the embassy to seize Mr. Assange after officials in the Ecuadorian foreign ministry were first informed by telephone and then by letter that London could use powers under a 1987 act to enter the embassy and seize Mr. Assange.

Under international law, diplomatic posts are considered as the territory of the foreign nation.

Ecuador was ready to respond vigorously to any attempt by the U.K. police to enter the embassy after it had gathered outside the embassy on Wednesday. They have been receiving legal advice from a British QC who claims that the 1987 legislation could not be used to enter the Ecuadorian Embassy in Mr. Assange’s case.

The Foreign Office has said the decision on Mr. Assange’s application for political asylum would not affect the U.K.’s legal obligation to deport him to Sweden.

The asylum decision was announced by foreign affairs minister, Ricardo Patino in the Ecuadorian capital Quito.

Mr. Assange and embassy staff watched this news live in a link to a press conference from Quito.

Mr. Patino told the Ecuadorian government had conducted lengthy diplomatic discussions over past few weeks with the U.K., Swedish and U.S. governments. None could give the guarantees about Mr. Assange’s future that the South American country was seeking and had shown “no willingness” to negotiate on the issue.

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