Ecuador has asked Sweden to take WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's testimony regarding accusations of rape and sexual harassment in London, the South American nation's top diplomat announced Monday. "Our ambassador in Sweden has begun steps to ask the Swedish government to collect the statement of Mr Assange where he is located, at the Ecuadoran embassy in London," said Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino.
Assange, 41, is seeking asylum in Ecuador to avoid his extradition to Sweden, where he is accused of sexual assault. The WikiLeaks founder fears he could subsequently be re-extradited from Sweden to the United States to stand trial for espionage, on account of the trove of leaked US diplomatic cables and military logs that were published on his website.
"This is the request we have made in an effort to protect Mr Assange's life at all costs," Patino added, joined at a press conference by Assange's mother, Christine. Christine Assange met with Patino Monday. "I am sure the president and his aides will make the best decision in this case," she told government website El Ciudadano.