Assange health could worsen: Ecuador President

1 Dec 2012, 4:25 pm   -   Source: AFP
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Julian Assange. (AAP)

Julian Assange. (AAP)

Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa has warned that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is at risk of deteriorating health if he remains holed up for much longer in Quito's embassy in London.

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Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa has warned that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is at risk of deteriorating health if he remains holed up for much longer in Quito's embassy in London.
  
In an exclusive interview in the Peruvian capital Lima, Correa said Assange's health concerns could worsen dramatically if his now five-month long stay in the embassy goes on for much longer.
  
"I haven't spoken with him since he arrived at our embassy, but the ambassador informed me that he is suffering from a slight problem in his lung -- nothing too serious," Correa, who was in Peru for a Latin American summit,  told AFP.
  
"But there is still the danger that his physical and mental health could worsen, seeing that he is shut up in a small space, and unable to exercise in the fresh air. That would complicate the health situation of anyone," Correa said.
  
Assange has been sheltering in Quito's embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning on allegations of rape and sexual assault

Assange has strongly denied the allegations.
  
Assange fears that if he is extradited to Sweden, he eventually could be delivered to the United States for prosecution, where he could face a lengthy prison term or even the death sentence.
  
WikiLeaks enraged Washington in 2010 by leaking hundreds of thousands of classified US documents on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and embarrassing diplomatic cables from US embassies around the world.
  
Assange was arrested that same year in London but eventually was released on bail.
  
Ecuador granted Assange asylum on August 16, but Britain has refused to grant him safe passage out of the country - leaving the two governments in diplomatic deadlock and Assange stuck inside the embassy.
  
Talks to end the impasse have proved fruitless so far, but Correa said a breakthrough is still possible.
  
"We're not negotiating on the basis of human rights -- that term has not been used in this case. But there have been ongoing conversations" to resolve the case, he said.
  
"The solution to this problem is in the hands of Great Britain, Sweden and the European judicial authorities," said Correa.
  
"If Britain gives him safe passage tomorrow, this whole thing is over," he added.
  
Speaking about political matters back home, Correa left open the possibility that he will stand for a third consecutive presidential term.
  
"I have never been interested in political power, but situations where there is so much injustice, as with Ecuador's socio-economic poverty, can only be fixed by political means," said Correa, 49, whose term as Ecuador's president is due to end in May.
 

Wikileaks , Julian Assange. , Ecuador

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Your Comments

False Idol

Peter - from Adelaide, 5 months ago

Poor little Assange, so ill that he's contemplating a political career in Australia! Assange steps on people to elevate his own cult of personality, treats his informants and friends with contempt while feathers his own narcisistic nest with delusions of grandeur. Hubris of this kind will, inevitably, reveal its dark intent. Assange does not care an inch for all you brainwashed worshippers and acolytes calling for his release. He is merely doing what all megalomaniacs do - lie and use people up!

Respect

Annie - from World, 5 months ago

My letter to Julian. Thank you for exposing the One World scams amongst World Governement coupled with big business. You ought to be congratulated. We are all equal but the cream at the top seem to think that hthey have special treatment. I will pray for you Julian.

USA global thug

Max Gross - from Sapphire coast, 6 months ago

Assange ,and Wikileaks are only doing what the news media should be doing: exposing the lies and corruption of governments and corporations. And the USA is nothing but the world's worst and most threatening rogue state.

Lock him up

barefootman - from Sunshine Coast, 6 months ago

It's time to put up. Stand before the courts and face judgement.

Please help support freedom

ELIAS LEOUSIS - from TORONTO, CANADA, 6 months ago

Please help support freedom of the press and freedom of information by sponsoring Julian Assange for the Nobel prize for freedom of the press: Google: Avaaz.org Julian Assange for Nobel prize "Freedom of the Press" and vote!

J.Assange´s vänner

IDA LANG - from MALMÖ,Sverige, 6 months ago

Jag är orolig för bäste min vän därför jag varnade flera gånger men det är dags ....Du måste göra någotning att rädda dig också jag tänker på Dig hela tiden hur är med dig din öde.Krya på Dig min vän J.Assange hela tiden jag är rädd för dig framtid.Ge inte upp måste skaffa läkaren för din hälsan skull,jag ser ditt ansikte så blek!

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