UK recognizes that Assange cannot be extradited to Sweden

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño met with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague during the UN General Assembly. Patiño says that Britain now recognizes that due to Assange's asylum status with Ecuador, he cannot be extradited to Sweden.

Patiño and Hague met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Thursday. A summary of the talks held between the two officials is that Patiño says he has received written confirmation from Britain that the country recognizes the validity of its 1880 extradition treaty with Ecuador. Under this agreement a person, like Assange, who has been granted political asylum in Ecuador, cannot be extradited to a third country... read more.

Video: Julian Assange addresses the UN General Assembly

Assange, founder of WikiLeaks addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday evening, in an event called "Strengthening Human Rights."

Assange spoke directly via a video link from the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has been holed up since June this year, firstly seeking and finally receiving political asylum from that country.

The "Strengthening Human Rights" event was hosted by Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño, and this event gave Assange a platform to draw attention to his case and the importance of revealing the truth.... read more and watch video.

World personalities pledge support to Ecuador asylum for Assange

Intellectuals, musicians and world personalities have make public their support of the decision by Ecuador to grant asylum to Julian Assange and to the protection of Ecuador's diplomatic premises in London.

According to a press release on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ecuador, around 270 personalities from 32 countries have signed an open letter of support to Ecuador's grant of diplomatic asylum to Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, and also to the inviolability of Ecuador's diplomatic premises in London, U.K... read more.

Video: 34 American nations back Ecuador in UK diplomatic spat

34 members of the Organization of American States are backing Ecuador in its diplomatic row with Britain over the granting of asylum to Julian Assange and the perceived threat to the country's sovereignty.

Digital Journal recently reported that there would be a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) on August 24, 2012, to discuss the matter of Julian Assange, his asylum and the U.K.'s threats on Ecuador's sovereignty.

Ecuador granted asylum to Assange on August 16, and a diplomatic uproar ensued, with the British Foreign Office threatening to enter the embassy to take Assange. The Ecuadorian government is taking this as a threat to their sovereignty and indeed, a threat to diplomatic relations worldwide, hence the meeting of the OAS was called... read more and watch video.

Video: Ecuador President Rafael Correa on Assange's asylum

RT's Spanish channel interviews President Rafael Correa of Ecuador on the country's decision to grant asylum to Julian Assange.

Ecuador's president explains the choice he made, and says what he thinks Britain's motives really are.

The interviewer asks President Correa about his decision to grant asylum to Assange, and he explains that it was not an easy decision... read more and watch interview.

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.

Organization of American States to meet on Assange issue

The OAS will convene a meeting on August 24, to discuss the matter of Julian Assange, his asylum and the U.K.'s threats on Ecuador's sovereignty. ALBA and UNASUR are meeting on the issue this weekend.

Ecuador granted asylum to Assange on August 16, and a diplomatic uproar ensued, with the British Foreign Office threatening to enter the embassy to take Assange. The Ecuadorian government is taking this as a threat to their sovereignty and indeed, a threat to diplomatic relations worldwide... read more.

Video: 'Not even in the Cold War's darkest days'

The video features an interview with former CIA officer, Ray McGovern. The U.K. government's recent actions with regard to Julian Assange and the sovereignty of the Ecuadorian embassy are discussed.

The government of Ecuador has granted political asylum to Julian Assange. After much discussion and investigation, they agree that should Assange be extradited to Sweden for questioning on alleged sex charges, he would then be sent on to the U.S. and possibly imprisoned, tortured or even executed for espionage.... read more and watch video.

Julian Assange 'doing all right' at embassy amid asylum row

Julian Assange has spent a good night, after receiving the good news that his asylum request has been granted by Ecuador. Supporters still surround the building housing the Ecuadorian embassy today.

The Guardian is reporting that WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange spent a comfortable night last night in the London Ecuadorean embassy after the announcement that his request for asylum has been granted. 

Diplomatic sources say that he is "doing all right"... read more and view video and photos.

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.

Media in Ecuador reports that Assange has been granted asylum

Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño has announced that Ecuador has granted asylum to the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, currently in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

According to El Commercio (Spanish language) Patiño made the announcement in a press conference at the Palacio de Najas in Quito this morning... read more.

If Assange granted asylum UK will deny him safe passage

The U.K. foreign office is saying that even if Julian Assange is granted political asylum, he will be refused safe passage out of the country. Meanwhile, protesters at the embassy are being arrested.

Officials have stated that the U.K. will do all in its power to block Assange's safe passage to Ecuador, even if he is granted asylum by Ecuador. They claim they have a legal obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden... read more and watch video of protester arrests.

Raid on Ecuador embassy would be akin to 'act of war' (video)

British police have surrounded the Ecuadorian embassy in London and breached the building. Should they enter the embassy to arrest Julian Assange, this would be a sovereign attack on Ecuador and could be construed as an "Act of War".

Digital Journal reported yesterday on the threat by the U.K. to storm the Ecuadorian embassy in London, if Ecuador does not surrender Assange for extradition to Sweden to face charges on alleged sexual crimes... 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.

UK police wish to arrest Assange for breaking his bail conditions

By staying overnight at the Ecuadorian Embassy, Assange has broken his bail conditions and is subject to arrest, and RT interviews Assange's mother on her feelings about the extradition.

While Assange has taken refuge at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, United Kingdom, the police are apparently ready to arrest him for breaching his bail conditions.

On a warrant issued in Sweden, Assange was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Service's Extradition Unit on December 7, 2010. Sweden wants him in connection with allegations of rape and sexual molestation... read more and view interview with Christine Assange.

Julian Assange asks for political asylum in Ecuador Embassy

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño said today that Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, has taken refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and sought political asylum.

Patiño said that his country "is evaluating Mr. Assange’s request" and that the decision will be made based on the rules and principles of human rights and international law... read full article.