LONDON, U.K. - WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange who has recently lost his extradition case is now seeking asylum in Ecuador. Assange allegedly breached his bail by going to the Ecuador Embassy in London to seek asylum.
According to BBC News, the Ecuadorian Embassy said that it was "studying and analyzing" his request.
Police claim that Assange breached his bail which placed him under the strict geographical confinement in the city of London; by approaching the embassy he left the premise of that territory, now police say that he could face arrests. He was released on a $316,000 bail provided by many high-profile supporters.
Last week, the British Supreme Court refused to review repeal to extradition, which means that the 40-year-old will be extradited to Sweden, where he will face charges of sexual abuse and rape.
A statement released by British Supreme Court stated," The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has dismissed the application made by Ms. Dinah Rose QC, counsel for Mr. Julian Assange, seeking to reopen their appeal," as reported by the AFP.
As expected Assange's lawyer Dinah Rose, filed for repeal the extradition case he lost last month. The Court in London had ruled 5 to 2 against Assange on May 30. According to the ruling, Assange was given two weeks to submit an appeal before he was extradited to Sweden where he is accused of rape and sexual assault. Assange denies these allegations and claims they are politically motivated.
However, the extradition case had little to do with these allegations, and instead is a question of the validity of the extradition warrant issued to him. Assange's arrest was warranted by prosecutors, not a judge or magistrate. Assange's team argues that according to the European arrest warrant and the Extradition Act of 2003, only "judicial authorities" can establish arrest warrants. These authorities do not include prosecutors and therefore the extradition is not valid. The Justices did not agree.
Julian Assange rose to fame in 2010 when he leaked a number of US diplomatic cables and videos regarding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan through his co-founded online organization Wikileaks. The organization stirred great derision from Washington and other countries whose secrets were divulged. Assange and his team argue that there is foul play in the alleged sex crimes allegations and that these accusations are sponsored by a number of upset politicians.
Assange will remain at the embassy until his request is processed.
