Assange: Hundreds demonstrate support of asylum in Quito

Hundreds of people turned out in Quito, Ecuador yesterday to demonstrate their support of the country's decision to grant asylum to Julian Assange. UNASUR met on Sunday to discuss threats to Ecuador's sovereignty.

The demonstrators, including social activists and the general public, rallied in Quito's Plaza Grande, displaying placards reading “Without true freedom of expression there no sovereignty,” and “Viva freedom of expression. Support Julian Assange.” .... read more.

UK vows to block Assange from leaving the UK (video)

As Ecuador grants political asylum to Julian Assange, and his supporters celebrate, the U.K. stresses that it will block him from leaving the United Kingdom.

Ecuador today made a statement that Assange's request for political asylum has been granted. Ecuador's Foreign Minister, Ricardo Patiño, made the announcement, stressing that the country feels that the whistleblower's fears of being politically persecuted are justified.... read more and watch video.

Video: Julian Assange — from hero to hated

The video highlights RT's interactions with Julian Assange since April 2010. Initially he is seen as a hero for exposing the awful truth, eventually he is hated by banks, journalists, world leaders and others.

With every secret revealed by Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, he gained more and more enemies, desperate to bring him down.

Governments and public figures are openly calling for Assange to be killed... read more and watch video.

Julian Assange will be granted political asylum in Ecuador

Officials close to the Ecuadorian President in Quito have advised that WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, will reportedly be granted asylum in Ecuador. Final confirmation is awaited from Correa.

Digital Journal reported earlier today that a decision on Assange's asylum would be released soon after a meeting between President Correa and his Foreign MInister, Ricardo Patiño, on Wednesday.

However, Irene Caselli, reporter for The Guardian who is based in Quito, is reporting that an official, who is familiar with the government discussions, was quoted as saying, "Ecuador will grant asylum to Julian Assange." '... read more.
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UPDATE: The official apparently spoke out of turn - President Correa tweeted that the report is false and that a decision is still to be reached.

Ecuador President Correa to make decision on Assange shortly

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa will make an "informed decision" on Assange's asylum request, after a meeting on Wednesday with Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino and diplomats in London.

Regarding WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange and his request for political asylum, President Correa said in a televised address on Monday:

­“We expect to have a meeting on Wednesday [with Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino and diplomats in London] and I hope to make an announcement before the end of the week." ... read more.

Video: 'Hunt for Assange on, Sweden a tool of U.S.'

Swedish authorities declined Ecuador's invitation to question Julian Assange in their London Embassy. An anti-war activist and journalist gives his opinion on why Assange is right to fear Swedish extradition.

Digital Journal reported on July 31 that Sweden had turned down Ecuador's request to interview Assange at their Embassy, giving "no meaningful explanation."... read more and watch video interview.

Sweden refuses Ecuador's request to interview Assange at embassy

Ecuador asked Sweden to send officials to interview Julian Assange at their embassy in London. Sweden says no, they will not travel to London.

Digital Journal reported on July 29 that the Ecuadorian government had told Swedish authorities that they are welcome to come over to London to question the whistleblower over sex crime allegations. It was hoped that if they do come to London, the matter can finally be cleared up.... read more.

Julian Assange's mother visits Ecuador to plead son's case

Christine Assange has arrived in Quito, Ecuador to meet government officials and the country's foreign minister. She hopes to plead her son's case for political asylum.

The official El Ciudadano (Spanish language) news outlet in Quito reports that Christine Assange has arrived in Ecuador to speak with government officials and the Ecuadorian foreign minister, Ricardo Patino... read more.

Ecuador: Glimmer of hope for Julian Assange and political asylum

Julian Assange has been taking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for over a month. Now there is a glimmer of hope that he may receive political asylum in Ecuador.

Officials at the Ecuadorian Embassy have told Swedish authorities that they are welcome to come over to London to question the whistleblower over sex crime allegations. It is hoped that if they do come to London, the matter can be cleared up and refuted... read more and watch video.

Video update: Saturday deadline for extradition of Assange

Today is the deadline for Julian Assange to be extradited to Sweden. Ecuador's decision is still to be given on his political asylum in that country.

Julian Assange has stated that he will not leave the Ecuadorian Embassy in London until a decision has been made on his request for political asylum in Ecuador.

Assange has now spent two and a half weeks in the embassy.

Police are posted on every exit, hoping that he will step out and be arrested, ready for extradition... read more and watch video.

Assange 'The World Tomorrow' — looking back and hopefully forward

The video looks back on the talk show produced by Julian Assange, where he interviews some of the most controversial people in the world.

"The World Tomorrow" is a series of talk shows which ran for twelve weeks and Assange interviewed some really interesting and extremely controversial people. 

Some of these people faced problems after being interviewed and aired on RT, including FBI questioning and in one case, arrest on returning home... read more and watch video.

US Senator renews call for Assange to be prosecuted for espionage

While Julian Assange is still holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy awaiting possible political asylum, a U.S. Senator has renewed calls for him to be prosecuted for espionage.

Senator Diane Feinstein of the Senate intelligence oversight committee has reiterated the view that the WikiLeaks founder has compromised America's security.

Feinstein said that, "Assange had knowingly attained and disseminated information which could cause injury to the U.S." and that he had "caused serious harm to national security and should be prosecuted accordingly." ... read more and watch video.

Lawyer states Assange to remain at Ecuadorian embassy

In a media statement given today at the Ecuadorian embassy, Susan Benn from the Julian Assange Defense Fund has said that he will remain at the embassy until his asylum appeal is considered.

The statement follows a visit by Benn with Assange, who is still trapped within the Ecuadorian embassy, after he chose not to present himself at the Belgravia police station on Friday morning, to begin extradition proceedings.

Benn told reporters that Assange was in good spirits and was grateful for the support of the people of Ecuador and so many others from around the world. Speaking of the summons to appear at the police station at 11:30 on Friday, she said that he was advised to decline to comply with this request... read more and listen to press statement.

Julian Assange rejects police request to hand himself in

The U.K. police has issued an order for Julian Assange to appear at a police station on Friday, to begin the extradition process. Assange has rejected it.  In an interview with the BBC, he explains why.

The WikiLeaks whistleblower, Assange, is currently liable for arrest by the U.K. police should he leave the Ecuadorian embassy, on the grounds that he has violated his bail conditions. He is wanted in Sweden on allegations of rape and sexual assault, which Assange denies, and says that the charges are "depthless and politically-motivated."

He has been in the Ecuadorian Embassy since last Tuesday, appealing for political asylum from the Ecuadorian government.... read more and view video.

Ecuador recalls UK ambassador for discussions on Assange

In the latest on the situation with the WikiLeaks founder, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has recalled his U.K. ambassador to discuss Julian Assange's bid for political asylum.

As reported on Digital Journal, Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks arrived at the Ecuadorian Embassy four days ago, both seeking political asylum and breaking his bail conditions. U.K. police are poised to arrest him, should he step outside the embassy.

Assange seeks to avoid extradition to Sweden on allegations of rape, fearing Stockholm will turn him over to the U.S.... read more.

Assange: First interview since seeking asylum in Ecuador Embassy

In his first interview since seeking political asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy, Julian Assange speaks to ABC Radio National, Australia.

WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange has accused both the U.K. and Sweden of conspiring to trap him in England, while U.S. authorities build a legal case against him. He has further stated that the Australian government has abandoned him by refusing to intervene in his extradition... read more and listen to interview.