Ecuador grants political asylum to Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange

Latin American country Ecuador granted political asylum to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Who is Julian Assange?

Julian Assange is an Australian editor, activist, political talk show host, computer programmer, publisher and a journalist. He is famous as editor-in-chief and founder of Wikileaks.

What is Wikileaks?

It is a media website which is an international, self-described, not-for-profit organization publishing submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. It made grabbed international attention when it released some of the confidential information of the US linked to Afghanistan war including equipment expenditure and holdings. In 2010 it revealed U.S. State department diplomatic cables.

Why Sweden wants him to be extradited?

Sweden alleged Assange of committing rape and molestation of two women during his visit to the country.  A European Arrest Warrant and an Interpol red notice has been released against him. He is currently hiding in British Embassy. His request to Britain for political asylum was denied. Recently, Ecuador has granted political asylym to Assange which has resulted into a stand-off b/w the two countries (Britain & Ecuador).

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2012