Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa

Julian Assange should respond to the sexual assault allegations but the case would not constitute criminal behaviour in Latin America, says Ecuador’s President, Rafael Correa.

He adds that Ecuador has no intention to change its mind on the decision to grant Assange political asylum, reports The Guardian.

“As we have previously said, now that he has asylum, Mr Assange is entitled to remain in the embassy for as long as he wants,” he says.

Correa accuses the British government of hypocrisy and says his country will stick to its standpoint even if means risk of losing UK business and public support.

“If the UK distances itself from Ecuador as a result of this decision to grant asylum that would make us very sorry because we appreciate the United Kingdom – especially its people – but that will not make us go back on our position.”

Correa came up with three possibilities for the situation to be solved, namely, the UK could promise safe conduct to the airport without the threat of arrest. Another option would be for Assange to leave the embassy of his own accord. But the third is as follows – Ecuador’s government changes its mind, which will not happen, according to him.

As reported, Assange is wanted in Sweden for questioning on sexual assault allegations, which he denies. Assange fears being transferred to the US where he could face the death penalty.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has made it clear Assange will not be allowed safe passage out of the UK.

He enraged the US government in 2010 when WikiLeaks published tranches of secret US diplomatic cables.

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