Sweden dismisses Ecuador’s offer to question AssangeAugust 2, 2012 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ecuador's foreign minister said Swedish officials have refused to accept his country's offer to let them question WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Belfast Telegraph said. Ricardo Patino said Sweden declined the offer to question Mr Assange in person or via video conference at Ecuador's embassy in London. Mr Assange, 41, took refuge in the embassy on June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning for alleged sexual misconduct. He claims the accusations are a pretext to extradite him to the United States, which he claims wants to prosecute him for publishing secret US documents. Ecuador has said it will not announce a decision on Mr Assange's asylum request until after the Olympics. Mr Assange's mother Christine met Ecuador's president Rafael Correa in the capital Quito on Wednesday. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. |