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Julian Assange speaks of 'leaving' Ecuador embassy Julian Assange speaks of 'leaving' Ecuador embassy
(35 minutes later)
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has suggested he will be leaving London's Ecuadorean embassy soon after two years' refuge. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has suggested he will be leaving London's Ecuadorean embassy "soon".
He gave no more details but said he understood Wikileaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson had "said that he can confirm I am leaving the embassy soon". He said he understood from Wikileaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson he would be "leaving the embassy" after two years' refuge but gave no more details.
Mr Hrafnsson later said Mr Assange would only be able to leave when the UK government "calls off the siege". Mr Hrafnsson later said the plan "as always" was for Mr Assange to depart when the UK "calls off the siege" and honours international "obligations".
Mr Assange is wanted for questioning over alleged sexual assaults in Sweden.Mr Assange is wanted for questioning over alleged sexual assaults in Sweden.
Speaking after the press conference, Mr Hrafnsson said: "The plan is for him to leave as soon as the UK government decides to honour its obligations in relation to international agreements and calls off the siege outside - it's as simple as that." The 43-year-old faces questioning by prosecutors in Stockholm over claims made by two women in 2010. He denies the allegations and sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in June 2012 shortly after a court ordered his extradition.
Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino said would continue to be offered "protection". Police have maintained a round-the-clock presence outside the building in Knightsbridge.
Speaking at the news conference, Mr Assange said: "I understand that Kristinn Hrafnsson has said that he can confirm I am leaving the embassy soon".
But he added it was not for the reasons reported in the UK press that he required medical treatment.
Clarifying Mr Assange's comments, Mr Hrafnsson said: "The plan is for him to leave as soon as the UK government decides to honour its obligations in relation to international agreements and calls off the siege outside - it's as simple as that."
'Bound to fail''Bound to fail'
Mr Assange, 43, faces questioning by prosecutors in Sweden over claims made by two women. He denies the allegations and sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in June 2012 shortly after a court ordered his extradition. Mr Assange says he fears he could eventually be handed over to the US because Wikileaks published classified US military documents on the Afghan and Iraq wars.
He says he fears he could eventually be handed over to the US because Wikileaks published classified US military documents on the Afghan and Iraq wars. He was granted asylum by Ecuador in August 2012 and the country's foreign minister Ricardo Patino said he would continue to be offered "protection".
He has been living inside the embassy building since then, having been granted diplomatic asylum by Ecuador in August 2012.
Reports in UK newspapers at the weekend had said Mr Assange had developed a heart defect and a chronic lung condition during his confinement.
Sitting next to Mr Patino at a news conference, Mr Assange said his health had suffered during his time inside the embassy.Sitting next to Mr Patino at a news conference, Mr Assange said his health had suffered during his time inside the embassy.
The UK newspaper reports at the weekend said Mr Assange had developed a heart defect and a chronic lung condition during his confinement.
The Australian said the reasons for him leaving were not those "reported by the Murdoch press" - but did not elaborate further.The Australian said the reasons for him leaving were not those "reported by the Murdoch press" - but did not elaborate further.
If he does leave the Ecuadorian embassy, Mr Assange faces immediate arrest and extradition to Sweden. If he does leave the embassy, Mr Assange faces immediate arrest and extradition to Sweden.
Extradition could take place within 10 days of any arrest - unless there are compelling reasons for this to be extended.Extradition could take place within 10 days of any arrest - unless there are compelling reasons for this to be extended.
BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said that if Mr Assange needs medical treatment he could be arrested and then taken to hospital under guard.BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said that if Mr Assange needs medical treatment he could be arrested and then taken to hospital under guard.
But our correspondent said that any argument that Mr Assange could not be extradited because of his health was "almost certainly bound to fail".But our correspondent said that any argument that Mr Assange could not be extradited because of his health was "almost certainly bound to fail".
"It is almost inconceivable that an extradition would be halted on health grounds if that extradition is to a country that is part of the European Arrest Warrant scheme," he said. "It is almost inconceivable that an extradition would be halted on health grounds if that extradition is to a country that is part of the European Arrest Warrant scheme.
"All of those countries have good hospitals and health care facilities. The health issue doesn't upon up a new round of domestic legal challenges." "All of those countries have good hospitals and health care facilities. The health issue doesn't upon up a new round of domestic legal challenges," he said.
'Better climate''Better climate'
Speaking at the news conference, Mr Patino said the Ecuador government would attempt to meet UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond to discuss the case.Speaking at the news conference, Mr Patino said the Ecuador government would attempt to meet UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond to discuss the case.
He said changes to the UK's extradition laws had created a better climate for reaching a deal over Mr Assange.He said changes to the UK's extradition laws had created a better climate for reaching a deal over Mr Assange.
"It is time to free Julian Assange. It is time for his human rights to be finally respected," he added."It is time to free Julian Assange. It is time for his human rights to be finally respected," he added.
The Swedish warrant for Mr Assange's arrest was first issued at the end of 2010. Last month, a Stockholm court ruled it should stay in place.The Swedish warrant for Mr Assange's arrest was first issued at the end of 2010. Last month, a Stockholm court ruled it should stay in place.
Police officers remain outside the embassy, where they have carried out a round the clock operation during Mr Assange's two years inside.Police officers remain outside the embassy, where they have carried out a round the clock operation during Mr Assange's two years inside.
The Metropolitan Police has estimated the total cost of policing the embassy since June 2012 has been £6.4m - including £1.1m of police overtime.The Metropolitan Police has estimated the total cost of policing the embassy since June 2012 has been £6.4m - including £1.1m of police overtime.