Ecuador may evict Assange from embassy

JULIAN Assange remains barricaded in the Ecuadorean embassy in London as speculation mounts he could lose his asylum protection and be forced out of the consulate at any time.

Supporters of the Wikileaks founder have set up camp outside the embassy in Knightsbridge where Australian citizen Mr Assange has been holed up since 2012.

The whistleblower skipped bail in the UK and sought refuge at the embassy, fearing he would be prosecuted by the US over the release of highly confidential government documents.

Attempts to speak with Mr Assange at the embassy yesterday were unsuccessful.

The Australian citizen had his internet connection cut by the embassy in March because he allegedly breached a commitment “not to issue messages that might interfere with other states”.

Tasmanian barrister Greg Barns, an adviser to Mr Assange, said that speculation about the Wikileaks founder’s future at the embassy had grown ahead of a trip to London this week by Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno.

Last week British media reported that government ministers were in talks to remove Mr Assange from the embassy.

“I think it is implausible to suggest that an Ecuadorian president could be in London and not discuss with the British government the issue around Julian Assange that has been going on for six years,” Mr Barns said.