WikiLeaks Founder Finds Asylum

Ecuador's government finally approved the application for political asylum filed by the owner of leaked documents site and confidential data - WikiLeaks, Julian Assange has been for the last few months hidden in the Embassy of Ecuador in London, England. Assange filed a political asylum to Ecuador to avoid extradition to his homeland of Sweden.

Thursday (8/16), Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said that Sweden plans to send Assange to the United States to stand trial for his actions to publish secret documents. In Sweden alone, Assange is wanted for alleged sexual harassment.

"The Ecuador government, loyal to its tradition to protect those who seek refuge with us at our diplomatic missions, has decided to grant diplomatic asylum to Mr Assange," Patino said.

He said the government of Ecuador took the decision after the UK, Sweden and the U.S. refused to provide assurances that Assange would not be extradited to the land of Uncle Sam.

The supporters of Assange that during the last few days gathered outside the embassy of Ecuador in London immediately cheered to hear the decision. Assange was immediately appreciated the Ecuadorian government's decision.

"Although today is an historic milestone victory, our struggle has just begun. The U.S. investigation against Wikileaks must be stopped, "he said.

Some time before the decision was announced, President of Ecuador Rafael Correa wrote in his Twitter account: "Nobody can frighten us."

While the British government declared that they would keep running the obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden regardless of any decision of Ecuador. Britain also said the Swedish representative will explain to the Ecuador that Assange will get the justice that deserve.

Therefore, British Foreign Secretary William Hague warned embassies of Ecuador that hiding a criminal or interfere with the legal process of a person is not allowed.

Meanwhile, Washington has denied calling the Obama administration has encouraged the UK to immediately arrest Assange. "Questioning the charge that Americans want to eliminate Assange, I hereby strongly denied it," US Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

2010 last year, Wikileaks to obtain and publish hundreds of secret U.S. military documents about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a variety of diplomatic cables online. Assenge induced, U.S. face smeared in the international arena.