UK and Ecuador make no progress in Assange case
The UK and Ecuador have made no progress in the case of Julian Assange, who has been granted asylum by the south American country.
Lady Gaga meets Julian Assange in Ecuadorian Embassy
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was visited by Lady Gaga at the Ecuadorian Embassy, London, where he has been granted asylum.
Galloway: Assange rape claims are 'bad sexual etiquette'
George Galloway has suggesting in an online video that the rape allegations made against Julian Assange amount to "bad sexual etiquette".
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Assange will not leave embassy if charges are dropped
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has revealed he will not leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London even if sex charges against him are dropped, because he fears moves are already under way to extradite him to the US.
The disclosure was made on the first anniversary of his arrival at the embassy in a bid to avoid being sent to the US to be quizzed about the leaking of sensitive information to his whistle-blowing website.
He said: "The strong view of my US lawyer is that there is already a sealed indictment which means I would be arrested, unless the British government gave information or guarantees that would grant me safe passage.
"We know there is an ongoing investigation in the US and we know I am a target of the Federal grand jury. There is a 99.97% chance that I will be indicted.
"So if the Swedish government drops their request (to go to Sweden) tomorrow, I still cannot leave the embassy.
"My lawyers have advised me I should not leave the embassy because of the risk of arrest and extradition to the US."
UK and Ecuador make no progress in Assange case
The UK and Ecuador have made no progress in the case of Julian Assange, who has been granted asylum by the south American country.
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Legal experts to work with UK and Ecuador on Assange
A working group of legal experts is to be set up by the UK and Ecuadorian governments to try to break the deadlock over the future of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Mr Assange has been inside Ecuador's London embassy for almost a year, fearing he will be extradited to the United States if he travels to Sweden to answer allegations of sexual assault against two women.
Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino said it was "grossly unjust" that Mr Assange could not leave the embassy without being arrested.
Assange prepared to remain in embassy 'for five years'
Julian Assange is prepared to remain in the Ecuadorian Embassy for five years, said Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino.
Britain and Ecuador 'make no breakthrough' on Assange
The Foreign Office said William Hague met his Ecuadorian counterpart to discuss the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been granted political asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy, but that no "breakthrough" had been made.
A statement said:
– Foreign OfficeForeign Secretary [William Hague] and Foreign Minister Patiño agreed to keep channels of communication open, but made no breakthrough on Julian Assange.
The two ministers held a bilateral meeting this morning for 45 minutes.
Ministers agreed that officials should establish a working group to find a diplomatic solution to the issue of Julian Assange, but no substantive progress was made.
The Foreign Secretary was clear once again that any resolution would need to be within the laws of the United Kingdom.
Assange is wanted for questioning over two sexual assault allegations in Sweden and will be arrested if he leaves the embassy building.
Hague to discuss Assange future
Ecuador's foreign minister will meet Foreign Secretary William Hague today to discuss the future of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Ricardo Patino said Mr Assange was in "good spirits" despite the "limitations" of his accommodation inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has been since June 19 last year.
The WikiLeaks founder is wanted for questioning in Sweden over sex allegations by two women - which he denies - but fears being extradited to the United States if he goes to Sweden.
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Ecuadorean foreign minister: Assange in 'good spirits'
Ecuador's foreign minister tonight met with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange inside the embassy where the Australian has been staying for the past year.
Ricardo Patino said Mr Assange was in "good spirits" despite the "limitations" of his accommodation inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
Mr Patino added that the Ecuadorean government remains "firmly committed to protecting his human rights" and that it is seeking "cast iron assurances to avoid any onward extradition".
Mr Assange has been living inside the embassy since 19 June last year. He is wanted for questioning in Sweden over sex allegations by two women - which he denies - but fears being extradited to the United States if he leaves.
Ecuadorian minister to meet Julian Assange at embassy
A senior Ecuadorian minister will make a brief visit to the UK ahead of talks over the future of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, is due to meet Mr Assange at the country's embassy later today, before holding talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague tomorrow.
The Australian has been inside the embassy since June 19 last year and has since been granted political asylum.
Julian Assange: 'Edward Snowden is a hero'
Edward Snowden is a hero who has informed the public about one of the most serious events of the decade, which is the creeping formulation of a mass surveillance state.
– Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, speaking to Sky NewsWhat other countries need to do is line up and give their support to him. Everyone should go to their local politicians and press and demand they step forward and offer Mr Snowden asylum in their country. It will be telling to see which countries genuinely protect human rights and genuinely protect the privacy of the public.
Assange: Trial condemns America's 'spirit of liberty'
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has released a statement on the trial of Private Bradley Manning, who is accused of passing on around 250,000 secret files to the website.
In a statement posted on the WikiLeaks website, he said: "When communicating with the press is 'aiding the enemy' it is the 'general knowledge among the people' itself which has become criminal.
"Just as Bradley Manning is condemned, so too is that spirit of liberty in which America was founded.
"In the end it is not Bradley Manning who is on trial. His trial ended long ago. The defendant now, and for the next 12 weeks, is the United States.
"A runaway military, whose misdeeds have been laid bare, and a secretive government at war with the public. They sit in the docks. We are called to serve as jurists. We must not turn away."
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