The Independent/London
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| Women walk past protest placards outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, yesterday |
Julian Assange’s decision to seek refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy may look like he was trying to avoid facing sexual assault allegations in Sweden, his lawyer has admitted. But he also said the threat of extradition to the United States forced the 40-year-old to take such action.
Speaking to The Independent as Assange prepared to spend a fourth night inside the embassy, Thomas Olsson said he understood why some felt his client’s actions might make it look like he was “running away from his responsibilities”.
“It allows his enemies to portray him as someone who is trying to avoid these charges,” he said. “But the threat of extradition to the United States is substantial.”
Washington has yet to make any formal request to have the WikiLeaks founder handed over. But a grand jury is currently deciding whether any charges could be brought against the hacker.
Sweden has pursued an extradition request over allegations that Assange sexually assaulted two women in 2010. The WikiLeaks founder denies the charges.
Assange’s fate now rests in the hands of Ecuador’s government.