Wikileaks founder vows to stay in embassy “even if sex claims dropped” June 19, 2013 - 09:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Wikileaks website founder Julian Assange has vowed to remain in the Ecuadorian embassy in London even if accusations of sex crimes are dropped, BBC News reported. He walked into the building a year ago when his appeal against extradition to Sweden for questioning on claims he has always denied was turned down. He said he still feared being sent to the US for releasing secret documents. The foreign secretary has told MPs there was no progress on the case at talks with his Ecuadorian counterpart. Speaking to journalists at the embassy in Knightsbridge, Assange said he always believed it could take between six months and two years to resolve his case. "My lawyers have advised me I should not leave the embassy because of the risk of arrest and extradition to the US," he said. He claimed there was a sealed indictment already lodged against him in the US which would lead to him being taken from the UK if he stepped outside the embassy. He said: "The strong view of my US lawyer is... I would be arrested, unless the British government gave information or guarantees that would grant me safe passage. "We know there is an ongoing investigation in the US and we know I am a target of the Federal grand jury. There is a 99.97% chance that I will be indicted. So if the Swedish government drops their request tomorrow, I still cannot leave the embassy."   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 Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
