Julian Assange to speak in London after granted Ecuador asylum

WIKILEAKS says its founder Julian Assange will make a statement on Sunday in front of the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Ecuador announced overnight it had decided to grant asylum to Mr Assange, who has been holed up at the embassy for more than eight weeks.

Britain has said the granting of diplomatic asylum does not change its “obligation” to extradite Mr Assange to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning over alleged sex crimes.

WikiLeaks has tweeted: “Julian Assange will give a live statement in front of the Ecuadorian embassy, Sunday 2pm.

“Sunday the 19th is two months exactly since Assange entered the embassy. It will be his first public appearance since March.”

A member of Mr Assange’s defence team has said the Australian will appeal to the International Court of Justice if Britain attempt to blocks his exit to Ecuador.

Meanwhile, Interpol has confirmed it still considers Assange an “international wanted person”, despite Ecuador’s asylum decision.

“Interpol confirms that its Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, issued for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at Sweden’s request in November 2010 remains valid,” the Lyon-based international law enforcement agency said in a statement on Friday.

“Confirmation that Mr Assange’s Red Notice status remains in force follows Thursday’s decision by authorities in Ecuador to grant asylum to Mr Assange, two months after he took refuge in its London embassy.”

Interpol does not have the power to issue international arrest warrants but can request member countries make arrests based on foreign warrants. – AAP

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