Exclusive: Ecuador no longer to intervene with UK for WikiLeaks Assange - foreign minister

Source: Reuters



OCTOBER 23, 2018 / 8:40 PM / UPDATED 15 MINUTES AGO

Alexandra Valencia
3 MIN READ

QUITO (Reuters) - - Ecuador does not plan to intervene with the British government on behalf of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in talks over his situation as an asylee in the South American country’s London embassy, Ecuador’s foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister José Valencia said in an interview with Reuters that Ecuador’s only responsibility was looking after Assange’s wellbeing, after the Australian national sued the country over new conditions placed on his asylum in the London embassy.

“Ecuador has no responsibility to take any further steps,” Valencia said. “We are not Mr. Assange’s lawyers, nor are we representatives of the British government. This is a matter to be resolved between Assange and Great Britain.” The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment after normal business hours.

Greg Barns, an Australian lawyer advising Assange, said in an email that “developments in the case in recent times” showed the need for Australia’s government to intervene to assist “one of its citizens who faces real danger.”

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ecuador-assange-exclusive/exclusive-ecuador-no-longer-to-intervene-with-uk-for-wikileaks-assange-foreign-minister-idUSKCN1MY022