Julian Assange says to leave Ecuador's embassy ‘very soon’

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (R) and Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino (2R) attend a press conference inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on August 18, 2014 where Assange has been holed up for two years. Assange took refuge in June 2012 in the Ecadorian Embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces allegations of rape and sexual molestation, which he strongly denies. AFP PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • His comments came after British media reported, quoting a WikiLeaks source, that he was suffering from the potentially life-threatening heart condition arrhythmia and had a chronic lung complaint as well as high blood pressure.
  • Assange sought asylum at the embassy in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces allegations of rape and sexual molestation which he strongly denies.

LONDON

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange indicated Monday he would leave Ecuador’s embassy in London “soon” but his organisation played down the comment, saying he would not depart until there was an agreement with Britain’s government.

A pale and bearded Assange, who sought asylum at the embassy two years ago, told a press conference that WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had said he could “confirm that I am leaving the embassy soon.”

His comments came after British media reported, quoting a WikiLeaks source, that he was suffering from the potentially life-threatening heart condition arrhythmia and had a chronic lung complaint as well as high blood pressure.

Mr Assange, 43, insisted he would not be leaving for the reasons “reported by the Murdoch press” and did not elaborate further on how or when any departure would happen.

But speaking after the press conference, Hrafnsson indicated that Assange would remain at the embassy until an agreement on his future was brokered.

“What Julian meant is that his plan is to leave as soon as the British government honours its commitment,” he said, without elaborating.

Asked about the Australian’s health, Hrafnsson added: “He seemed pretty well to me.”

Assange sought asylum at the embassy in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces allegations of rape and sexual molestation which he strongly denies.

He fears extradition to Sweden could lead to him being transferred to the United States to face trial over WikiLeaks’ publication of classified US military and diplomatic documents.