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.

Hague urges talks with Ecuador over Assange

British Foreign Secretary William Hague is urging Ecuador to resume talks over the case of Julian Assange "as soon as possible." Hague stresses that a diplomatic solution to the dispute should be possible.

Assange has been holed up at the Ecuadorian embassy in London for just over two months, after asking for, and finally receiving, political asylum in Ecuador.

He was to be extradited by the U.K. government to Sweden for questioning on sex-related crimes, which he denies, and it was feared he would then be sent on to the U.S. on espionage charges relating to the diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, which have angered and embarrassed the U.S. government.... read more.