Assange ‘medical condition’ claims denied by Ecuadorian government

Published on 30/11/2012 01:21

WikiLeaks founder Julian 
Assange does not have urgent medical needs despite reports that he is suffering from a chronic lung condition, it was stated last night.

Ecuador’s ambassador to the UK, Ana Alban, said during a visit to Quito that the Australian requires constant medical 
attention.

Mr Assange has been inside Ecuador’s embassy in London since June after seeking refuge as part of his campaign to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces sex allegations.

The ambassador told El Ciudadano, an Ecuadorian government newspaper, that she intends to appeal to the Home Office for Mr Assange to be granted safe passage to medical services following his illness.

However, a spokesman for the Ecuadorian government said: “In reference to reported comments of ambassador Ana Alban, Julian Assange does not have an urgent medical 
condition.

“We continue to seek the 
assurances from the UK and Swedish government to enable him to live a normal life, free from the fear of extradition to the United States.”

Mr Assange refused to discuss his health or any questions about his stay at the embassy when he gave a 90-minute press briefing on Tuesday.

He revealed a block on processing donations by credit card companies to WikiLeaks, which had cost the whistle-blowing website over £30 
million, with staff having to take a 40 per cent pay cut as a result.