Ecuador in vote that could alter Assange’s fate

AFP, QUITO: Oil-rich Ecuador votes Sunday in general elections that could lead to fugitive Wikileaks founder Julian Assange being evicted from the country’s London embassy.
Socialist presidential candidate Lenin Moreno, who leads in opinion polls, favors continuing to grant the Australian whistleblower asylum, which was granted to him under outgoing leader Rafael Correa.
But two conservative contenders, Guillermo Lasso and Cynthia Viteri, each told AFP they would end Assange’s asylum if they win the election. Under Correa, Ecuador grabbed world headlines when it defied the United States by granting Assange refuge as he fights against Swedish rape charges.
The move has also shielded him from arrest over possible extradition to the United States for leaking diplomatic cables that embarrassed Washington.
WikiLeaks has said Assange could travel to the United States to face investigation if his rights were “guaranteed”.

Ecuador in vote that could alter Assanges fate

AFP, QUITO: Oil-rich Ecuador votes Sunday in general elections that could lead to fugitive Wikileaks founder Julian Assange being evicted from the countrys London embassy. Socialist presidential candidate Lenin Moreno, who leads in opinion polls, favors continuing to grant the Australian whistleblower asylum, which was granted to him under outgoing leader Rafael Correa. But two conservative contenders, Guillermo Lasso and Cynthia Viteri, each told AFP they would end Assanges asylum if they win the election. Under Correa, Ecuador grabbed world headlines when it defied the United States by granting Assange refuge as he fights against Swedish rape charges. The move has also shielded him from arrest over possible extradition to the United States for leaking diplomatic cables that embarrassed Washington. WikiLeaks has said Assange could travel to the United States to face investigation if his rights were guaranteed.