Ecuador offers Assange transfer to Sweden under protection September 22, 2012 - 12:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ecuador's Foreign Minister says WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could be transferred from London to Sweden, but remain under Ecuadorian protection, ABC News reported. Ricardo Patino says such a transfer could be a way of continuing to provide Assange with protection while also satisfying the demands of the Swedish justice system. Assange took shelter in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in June after exhausting all appeals against extradition from Britain to Sweden. He is wanted there for questioning on sexual assault allegations, but he fears Sweden will hand him over to the United States. Ecuador has granted him diplomatic asylum, but Britain has vowed to arrest him if he leaves the embassy. Patino hinted to "new" developments in the Swedish case, saying "several elements of proof have been dismissed". However, he declined to provide further details. He stressed that the best option, in Ecuador's view, would be for Britain to grant Assange safe passage. Patino plans to discuss Assange's case with his British counterpart William Hague on the margins of next week's United Nations General Assembly in New York. Ecuador's president Rafael Correa has said he might be willing to hand Assange over to British authorities in exchange for guarantees he will not be sent to a third country or face the death penalty anywhere.   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 |  Latest news U.S. believes peace is “possible” in South Caucasus  The United States continues to believe that peace is possible in the South Caucasus, Vedant Patel said.Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush provinceNarek 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.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. |
