United Kingdom
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has requested to freely leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London following a UN panel ruling which has proposed he should be awarded compensation after arbitrary detention.
Britain is bent on contesting the UN panel’s decision and has promised to arrest the computer hacker if he leaves the embassy.
“This changes nothing. We completely reject any claim that Julian Assange is a victim of arbitrary detention. The UK has already made it clear to the UN that we will formally contest the working group’s opinion,” a government spokesman said.
“He is in fact, voluntarily avoiding lawful arrest by choosing to remain in the Ecuadorean embassy,” the spokesman added.
The UK spokesman also cited the rape allegation and a European arrest warrant as part of their motive.
Julian Assange shocked the world after publishing secret diplomatic cables and has been in the embassy to avoid a rape investigation.
Assange who hails from Australia appealed to the United Nations panel claiming he was a political refugee.
He also denied a 2010 rape allegation considering it as a tactic to take him to the US for a criminal investigation.
01:06
UN warns of deepening Haiti crisis
Go to video
Libyan leaders call for an inclusive political process
Go to video
South Sudan: top UN official in the country warns of risk of new civil war
01:46
UN officials warn of worsening crisis in eastern DRC
01:29
Palestinians lined up for hours for food by a charity kitchen in central Gaza.
Go to video
United Nations says peacekeeping is having to adapt faster