Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been granted asylum by Ecuador, which could allow the Wikileaks founder to avoid extradition to Sweden.
Assange, who came to prominence by publishing classified memos and messages related to the Iraq War and other diplomatic hot spots, has been staying in Ecuador's embassy in London for two months.
At a news conference Thursday, Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, said he hoped the British government would allow Assange to leave the embassy and depart for Ecuador. The U.K. has said it will not allow Assange to travel to the South American country.
Assange is wanted in Sweden for questioning about allegations he committed sexual crimes. He contends that if he shows up in Sweden, he risks being extradited to the United States to face charges stemming from his decision to release secret intelligence reports and cables online.
Prior to his time at the embassy, Assange had been under house arrest in rural England. The British government had ruled in favor of extradition to Sweden, and in June dismissed his appeal.
