Ecuador stops mediation for Assange

quito - Ecuador will no longer mediate with the British government in favor of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has spent six years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. 'We are neither Mr. Assange's lawyers nor representatives of the British government,' Foreign Minister José Valencia told Reuters on Tuesday. 'Ecuador has no responsibility whatsoever to take further steps.'

Assange took refuge in the embassy in 2012 when Sweden issued an arrest warrant against him. Assange feared being extradited to the United States via that country. Ecuador wants to get rid of him, but also wants to protect him from persecution. Up to now, Ecuador therefore regularly consulted with the British authorities.