This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19259623#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Julian Assange: UK issues 'threat' to arrest Wikileaks founder Julian Assange: UK issues 'threat' to arrest Wikileaks founder
(40 minutes later)
Ecuador has accused the UK of making a "threat" to enter its embassy in London to arrest Wikileaks' Julian Assange.Ecuador has accused the UK of making a "threat" to enter its embassy in London to arrest Wikileaks' Julian Assange.
Mr Assange took refuge at the embassy in June to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questioning over assault and rape claims, which he denies.Mr Assange took refuge at the embassy in June to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questioning over assault and rape claims, which he denies.
Ecuador foreign minister Ricardo Patino also said a decision on the 41-year-old's bid for political asylum had been made and would be announced later.Ecuador foreign minister Ricardo Patino also said a decision on the 41-year-old's bid for political asylum had been made and would be announced later.
The Foreign Office said it could revoke the embassy's diplomatic status.The Foreign Office said it could revoke the embassy's diplomatic status.
In a statement issued as Mr Patino spoke, it said the UK had a "legal obligation" to extradite Mr Assange.In a statement issued as Mr Patino spoke, it said the UK had a "legal obligation" to extradite Mr Assange.
The Wikileaks website published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments, particularly the US, in 2010, and Mr Assange says he fears Sweden will pass him on to the American authorities.The Wikileaks website published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments, particularly the US, in 2010, and Mr Assange says he fears Sweden will pass him on to the American authorities.
It was not a piece of news anyone thought would come from Ecuador - and the style of the announcement came as a great surprise.It was not a piece of news anyone thought would come from Ecuador - and the style of the announcement came as a great surprise.
Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino was visibly angry as he lectured the UK government on its diplomatic obligations for several minutes.Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino was visibly angry as he lectured the UK government on its diplomatic obligations for several minutes.
The British "threat" to enter its London embassy to capture Julian Assange, however, might accomplish the unthinkable and briefly unite Ecuador's political forces.The British "threat" to enter its London embassy to capture Julian Assange, however, might accomplish the unthinkable and briefly unite Ecuador's political forces.
Critics of President Rafael Correa have accused the government of not properly handling Mr Assange's case but have also deemed the UK position unacceptable.Critics of President Rafael Correa have accused the government of not properly handling Mr Assange's case but have also deemed the UK position unacceptable.
They also fear any violation of Ecuador's sovereignty would strengthen Mr Correa and could turn him into a hero. The question now is whether they will let him fight this battle on his own.They also fear any violation of Ecuador's sovereignty would strengthen Mr Correa and could turn him into a hero. The question now is whether they will let him fight this battle on his own.
A number of police officers are outside the Ecuadorian embassy, in Knightsbridge, where some of Mr Assange's supporters have gathered behind a police cordon.A number of police officers are outside the Ecuadorian embassy, in Knightsbridge, where some of Mr Assange's supporters have gathered behind a police cordon.
Demonstrators also protested outside the British embassy in Ecuador's capital. Images from Quito showed protesters holding signs saying "We are sovereign, not colonies" and a union jack being stepped on.Demonstrators also protested outside the British embassy in Ecuador's capital. Images from Quito showed protesters holding signs saying "We are sovereign, not colonies" and a union jack being stepped on.
'Hostile act''Hostile act'
At a news conference in Quito on Wednesday, Mr Patino said a letter from the UK government was delivered through a British embassy official.At a news conference in Quito on Wednesday, Mr Patino said a letter from the UK government was delivered through a British embassy official.
"Today we received from the United Kingdom an express threat, in writing, that they might storm our Embassy in London if we don't hand over Julian Assange," he said."Today we received from the United Kingdom an express threat, in writing, that they might storm our Embassy in London if we don't hand over Julian Assange," he said.
"Ecuador rejects in the most emphatic terms the explicit threat of the British official communication.""Ecuador rejects in the most emphatic terms the explicit threat of the British official communication."
He said such a threat was "improper of a democratic, civilised and rule abiding country".He said such a threat was "improper of a democratic, civilised and rule abiding country".
"If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond," he said."If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond," he said.
"We are not a British colony"."We are not a British colony".
A Foreign Office spokesman said the UK remained "determined" to fulfil its obligation to extradite Mr Assange.A Foreign Office spokesman said the UK remained "determined" to fulfil its obligation to extradite Mr Assange.
"Throughout this process have we have drawn the Ecuadorians' attention to relevant provisions of our law, whether, for example, the extensive human rights safeguards in our extradition procedures, or to the legal status of diplomatic premises in the UK," the spokesman said. "Throughout this process we have drawn the Ecuadorians' attention to relevant provisions of our law, whether, for example, the extensive human rights safeguards in our extradition procedures, or to the legal status of diplomatic premises in the UK," the spokesman said.
"We are still committed to reaching a mutually acceptable solution.""We are still committed to reaching a mutually acceptable solution."
Police have so far been unable to detain Mr Assange for breaching the terms of his bail as he is on diplomatic territory.Police have so far been unable to detain Mr Assange for breaching the terms of his bail as he is on diplomatic territory.
The law Britain has informed Ecuador it could use in the case is the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987.The law Britain has informed Ecuador it could use in the case is the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987.
It allows the UK to revoke the diplomatic status of an embassy on UK soil, which would potentially allow police to enter the building to arrest Mr Assange.It allows the UK to revoke the diplomatic status of an embassy on UK soil, which would potentially allow police to enter the building to arrest Mr Assange.
Final appealFinal appeal
The BBC's deputy political editor James Landale says the British government has been involved in negotiations with Ecuador over the issue and its diplomats in Quito recently reminded officials of the powers it has under the act.The BBC's deputy political editor James Landale says the British government has been involved in negotiations with Ecuador over the issue and its diplomats in Quito recently reminded officials of the powers it has under the act.
On Monday, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said a decision would be made this week after he held a meeting with his advisers.On Monday, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said a decision would be made this week after he held a meeting with his advisers.
Mr Patino told reporters the decision had been made and an announcement would issued on Thursday morning, at 07:00 Ecuadorian time (13:00 BST). Mr Patino told reporters the decision had been made and an announcement would be issued on Thursday morning, at 07:00 Ecuadorian time (13:00 BST).
In 2010, two female ex-Wikileaks volunteers alleged that Mr Assange, an Australian citizen, had attacked them while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture.In 2010, two female ex-Wikileaks volunteers alleged that Mr Assange, an Australian citizen, had attacked them while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture.
Mr Assange claims the sex was consensual and the allegations are politically motivated.Mr Assange claims the sex was consensual and the allegations are politically motivated.
He says he is concerned he may be sent later to the US to face espionage charges.He says he is concerned he may be sent later to the US to face espionage charges.
In June, judges at the UK's Supreme Court dismissed his final appeal against extradition to Sweden.In June, judges at the UK's Supreme Court dismissed his final appeal against extradition to Sweden.
An offer to the Swedish authorities by Ecuador for investigators to interview Mr Assange inside the embassy, was rejected.An offer to the Swedish authorities by Ecuador for investigators to interview Mr Assange inside the embassy, was rejected.