THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange met with Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa on Wednesday to discuss the fate of her son holed up at the country's embassy in Britain.
Assange, 41, is seeking asylum in the South American nation to avoid his extradition to Sweden, where he is accused of sexual assault.
"The important thing is for Julian to be assured that Ecuador is considering with great responsibility" his request, the president told Assange's mother, Christine Assange, during their hour-long meeting.
Mr Correa said his country has a "great humanist tradition and respect for human rights."
He added that he respects Britain, Sweden, and the people of the United States, and that the matter bears consultation, but that, ultimately, "Ecuador does not negotiate over its sovereignty."
Meanwhile, Assange told AFP that based on "a chronological history of the Swedish investigations and based on the fact, there is absolutely no doubt" the charges against her son are part of a political persecution against him. » | Source: agencies | Thursday, August 02, 2012
