Julian Assange (right)
with Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patiño at the press conference
in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has said he "will be leaving the embassy soon" during a press conference at the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he has sought asylum for more than two years.
The 43-year-old Australian said on Monday his decision to leave was not for reasons "reported by the Murdoch press" but did not elaborate.
He has been living in the embassy as part of a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where there is a warrant against him over alleged sexual offences against two women.
Assange's announcement follows speculation that he was planning to leave to seek hospital treatment for heart and lung problems.
He mentioned the "difficulty" of living inside a small room, which he said would affect any "healthy person".
He told journalists: "I can confirm I will be leaving the embassy soon."
He faces arrest the moment he steps outside the building, where police officers have been stationed since he arrived.
He believes that if he is extradited to Sweden, he will then be sent on to the United States for questioning over the activities of the whistle-blowing organisation.
Last week he lost a legal bid to have the arrest warrant against him cancelled. The decision by Judge Lena Egelin dashed hopes of a breakthrough in his case.
Assange told journalists there has been "no movement at all" in the Swedish investigation and said the Ecuadorian government and his legal team were the only "reasonable" parties involved in the case.
The 43-year-old Australian said on Monday his decision to leave was not for reasons "reported by the Murdoch press" but did not elaborate.
He has been living in the embassy as part of a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where there is a warrant against him over alleged sexual offences against two women.
Assange's announcement follows speculation that he was planning to leave to seek hospital treatment for heart and lung problems.
He mentioned the "difficulty" of living inside a small room, which he said would affect any "healthy person".
He told journalists: "I can confirm I will be leaving the embassy soon."
He faces arrest the moment he steps outside the building, where police officers have been stationed since he arrived.
He believes that if he is extradited to Sweden, he will then be sent on to the United States for questioning over the activities of the whistle-blowing organisation.
Last week he lost a legal bid to have the arrest warrant against him cancelled. The decision by Judge Lena Egelin dashed hopes of a breakthrough in his case.
Assange told journalists there has been "no movement at all" in the Swedish investigation and said the Ecuadorian government and his legal team were the only "reasonable" parties involved in the case.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου