Ecuador grants Julian Assange asylum

Ecuador granted Julian Assange asylum today. Assange, the controversial WikiLeaks founder who leaked confidential diplomatic cables in 2010 and is wanted for sex crimes in Sweden, is currently living in the Ecuadorian embassy in the U.K.

More details:

From THR:

Assange entered the country's embassy in London earlier this summer to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faces sexual assault charges.

LONDON - Ecuador on Thursday made things official, saying it has decided to grant WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange political asylum.

Foreign minister Ricardo Patin made the announcement in an extended statement carried by British TV news networks Sky News and BBC News.

He called Assange a "communications professional" who has been doing important work, but whose legal rights have been violated, who wouldn't get a fair trail in the U.S. and whose freedom of speech and life are in danger.

He also cited Assange's fears that he could be further extradited to the U.S. and politically prosecuted. And he spoke of the WikiLeaks founder's "fear on his part of his personal security, life and liberty."