Ecuador studying asylum bid by WikiLeaks founder
QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador's foreign minister says lawyers convened by the government are studying the political and legal implications of granting exile to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Minister Ricardo Patino did not indicate when a decision might come. Ecuador's ambassador to Britain returned to Quito over the weekend and discussed the case Monday with Patino and President Rafael Correa.
Assange took refuge in Ecuador's London Embassy last Tuesday in a last-ditch attempt to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning in the alleged sexual assault of two women.
Assange claims he's being persecuted politically.
The site he runs published tens of thousands of leaked, sensitive U.S. documents before his legal troubles began in late 2010. Assange says he fears the United States will seek his extradition from Sweden.
© 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Minister Ricardo Patino did not indicate when a decision might come. Ecuador's ambassador to Britain returned to Quito over the weekend and discussed the case Monday with Patino and President Rafael Correa.
Assange took refuge in Ecuador's London Embassy last Tuesday in a last-ditch attempt to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning in the alleged sexual assault of two women.
Assange claims he's being persecuted politically.
The site he runs published tens of thousands of leaked, sensitive U.S. documents before his legal troubles began in late 2010. Assange says he fears the United States will seek his extradition from Sweden.
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