Assange Says Asylum Is Victory, UK Bent on Getting Him

Supporters of Julian Assange stand outside the Ecuador embassy in London, Britain 16 August 2012 where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has sought political asylum in June to avoid extradition to Sweden. EPA/BGNES

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has the political asylum he received from Ecuador is a "significant victory" against what he sees as unfair trials threatening him.

Thursday the Ecuador government officially granted Assange asylum status following information that the UK intends to storm Ecuador's London embassy, where Assange took refuge in mid-June.

The UK Home Office has issued a statement deploring the developments and saying that Assange's asylum status does not change anything and the British government is still obliged to extradite him to Sweden, where he is to face trial.

Wikileaks spokeswoman Kristinn Hrafnsson has in turn welcomed Ecuador's decision and urged the UK not to storm the London embassy.

Earlier Ecuador Minister of Foreign Affairs Ricardo Patino strongly protested British intentions, saying they encroach on his country's sovereignty.

"If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond."

Patino pointed out that his country is not a British colony.

The Foreign Minister stated that his government has made a decision on the WikiLeaks founder's request for asylum and will announce it Thursday.

On June 14, Assange lost his last appeal that aimed at blocking his extradition to Sweden to face "sex offence" charges.

The 40-year-old Australian is accused of raping one woman and "sexually molesting and coercing" another in Stockholm in August 2010, but he claims the allegations against him are politically motivated.

Assange's Wikileaks website published material from leaked diplomatic cables embarrassing several governments.

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