LONDON, U.K. - WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, who is currently camped in the Ecuador Embassy in London, has refused to cooperate with police because of a subpoena received from the U.S. charging him with espionage.
Last week, Assage laid out a condition that he was willing to be extradited to Sweden where he faces charges of rape and sexual assault, in return for diplomatic guarantee that he will not be sent to the U.S. over Wikileaks revelations. However, as confirmed by Assange's lawyers, the U.S. has instigated a grand jury against the WikiLeaks co-founder, and therefore he will remain in the Ecuadorian Embassy resisting arrest.
Susan Benn from the Julian Assange Defense Fund told BBC News, ''Julian will remain in the embassy under the protection of the Ecuadorian government," while his application for asylum in Ecuador is being processed.
Upon being denied appeal for extradition earlier this month, Assange was released on a $316,000 bail which was paid off by many high-profile supporters.
The 40-year-old is facing extradition to Sweden, where he will face charges of sexual abuse and rape. Assange denies these allegations and claims they are politically motivated.
Assange supporters gathered outside the Ecuador Embassy in London. Wikipedia founder Richard O'Dawyer has also started a petition to fight Assange's extradition charges.
Julian Assange rose to fame in 2010 when he leaked a number of US diplomatic cables and videos regarding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan through his co-founded online organization Wikileaks. The organization stirred great derision from Washington and other countries whose secrets were divulged. Assange and his team argue that there is foul play in the alleged sex crimes allegations and that these accusations are sponsored by a number of upset politicians.
