UN report could order Assange's release, says Ecuadorian FM
Updated: 2016-02-04 17:25
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speaks to the media outside the Ecuador embassy in west London in this August 19, 2012 file photo. [Photo/Agencies] |
QUITO - A United Nations (UN) report on the plight of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may allow him to finally leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino suggested Wednesday.
Patino told reporters that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions (WGAD) is investigating whether to order the release of Assange.
Assange's legal team has submitted a complaint to the WGAD in 2014 denouncing the detention as arbitrary. The Australian computer programmer said he would accept arrest if the UN panel rules against him.
"Should the UN announce tomorrow that I have lost my case against the United Kingdom and Sweden, I shall exit the embassy at noon on Friday to accept arrest by British police as there is no meaningful prospect of further appeal," Assange said in the statement on the Wikileaks Twitter account.
"However, should I prevail and the state parties be found to have acted unlawfully, I expect the immediate return of my passport and the termination of further attempts to arrest me."
Assange has been staying at Ecuador's embassy in London for political asylum since 2012 after the British government refused to give him a safe passage out of the country.
He made the asylum request out of fears of being extradited to Sweden, where he would be facing two allegations of sexual misconduct, and ultimately to the United States, which has plans to indict him on charges of spying.
Wikileaks, as a non-profit organization, has released abundant classified documents of US diplomatic maneuvering and military operations on its website since its founding in 2006.
- UN special envoy announces temporary pause of intra-Syrian talks
- Taliban kill 10-year-old hailed as militia hero
- Obama slams anti-Muslim rhetoric during first visit to US mosque
- Australian police suspect overseas hackers behind threats to schools
- EU reform proposals show 'real progress': British PM
- Mainland Chile confirms first 3 cases of Zika virus
- Kindness walls bringing extra warmth to the needy
- A robot that grabs red envelopes
- Culture Insider: 9 things you may not know about Start of Spring
- Talented artist makes tiny pencil lead sculptures
- Ten most heartwarming stories about Spring Festival Rush
- China's 'Moon Walker' sends back stunning HD photos
- Starbucks, office rents and CEOs form alternative outlook on China
- China's most beautiful wetlands
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
National Art Museum showing 400 puppets in new exhibition
Finest Chinese porcelains expected to fetch over $28 million
Monkey portraits by Chinese ink painting masters
Beijing's movie fans in for new experience
Obama to deliver final State of the Union speech
Shooting rampage at US social services agency leaves 14 dead
Chinese bargain hunters are changing the retail game
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |