Ecuador gives Assange citizenship... and wants him out?
By Sim Sim Wissgott
["europe"]
Ecuador announced Thursday it had granted citizenship to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been sheltering in its embassy in London since 2012.
But the South American country has also been making noises about wanting him out of there.
So what is likely to happen, and why has he been holed up in the embassy for the past five years? 
What’s the story so far?
Assange, the white-haired Australian behind whistleblower group Wikileaks, fled to the Ecuadorian embassy in June 2012 in a bid to escape sexual assault charges in Sweden.
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, speaks to media and supporters from a balcony at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, UK, on May 19, 2017. /VCG Photo

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, speaks to media and supporters from a balcony at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, UK, on May 19, 2017. /VCG Photo

Swedish prosecutors had asked for his extradition from the UK. Assange has however always denied the allegations against him.
He was later granted asylum by Ecuador. 
Under international law, an embassy’s territory is considered foreign soil so UK authorities cannot reach Assange as long as he remains there.
The Australian, now 46, has not set foot outside the mission for over five years. 
What’s he been up to?
Assange has remained active despite his restricted movement, receiving high-profile visitors and chipping in on major news events. Last year, he expressed support for Catalonian independence and even addressed a gathering in Barcelona via video link, angering Spain in the process.
This prompted a reprimand from the Ecuadorian government which called on Assange “not to make statements or activities that could affect Ecuador's international relations.”
Hillary Clinton, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, waves during a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, US, on November 6, 2016. /VCG Photo

Hillary Clinton, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, waves during a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, US, on November 6, 2016. /VCG Photo

In October 2016, the embassy in London also shut off Assange’s Internet after Wikileaks published emails from candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign ahead of the US presidential election. 
Does he still face arrest?
The charges against Assange in Sweden were dropped last year. But he still faces arrest in the UK for jumping bail during his extradition proceedings when he fled to the Ecuadorian embassy.
Until 2015, the UK maintained a round-the-clock police presence outside the mission.
Wikileaks also fears there might be a sealed indictment for Assange’s arrest, which could see him extradited to the US and brought to court over the group's publication of secret US military and diplomatic papers in 2010.
Protesters hold banners that read "Free Assange" outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London on November 14, 2016 where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was being questioned over a rape allegation against him. /VCG Photo

Protesters hold banners that read "Free Assange" outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London on November 14, 2016 where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was being questioned over a rape allegation against him. /VCG Photo

Last April, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said arresting Assange was “a priority.” He added: “Whenever a case can be made, we will seek to put some people in jail."
CNN also reported that the US had prepared charges against the Australian. 
Is Ecuador trying to get rid of him?
While Ecuador confirmed on Thursday that Assange was now a citizen, it has also been giving signals that it wants him out of its embassy. 
Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa told reporters in Quito on Tuesday that Ecuador was looking for a "third country or a personality" to strike a deal with the UK and end the impasse concerning Assange.
The situation "from a human point of view, is not sustainable. A person cannot live forever in these conditions,” she was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
Espinosa added the UK has “shown interest in seeking a way out.” 
This handout photo released by the press office of Ecuador's Foreign Ministry shows Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa speaking during a meeting with foreign correspondents in Quito on January 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

This handout photo released by the press office of Ecuador's Foreign Ministry shows Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa speaking during a meeting with foreign correspondents in Quito on January 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

An attempt by Quito to get Assange diplomatic status was however rejected by Britain's Foreign Office, she said Thursday.
An Ecuadorian passport and diplomatic immunity might allow the Australian to leave the embassy in London without being detained by UK police.
Ecuador was now “exploring other ways to solve this issue,” in conjunction with the UK and “other states or international organizations,” Espinosa said Thursday.
On Wednesday, Assange posted a picture of himself on Twitter wearing an Ecuador national football team shirt.
Who else has sought asylum in an embassy?
Deposed leaders, revolutionaries and opposition figures have for centuries sought the safety of a foreign embassy to escape capture and prosecution.
A picture shows the building housing the Ecuadorian embassy in central London on June 19, 2016. /VCG Photo

A picture shows the building housing the Ecuadorian embassy in central London on June 19, 2016. /VCG Photo

Probably the lengthiest stay was that of Josef Mindszenty, a Hungarian cardinal who sought refuge in the US embassy in Budapest after the 1956 Hungarian uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks. He remained there for 15 years until 1971 when he was able to negotiate a safe passage to neighboring Austria.
Former East German leader Erich Honecker spent seven months at Chile’s mission in Russia before he was extradited home in 1992 to face prosecution for ordering the shooting of defectors at the Berlin Wall.
Panama dictator Manuel Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican’s mission in Panama City after the US invasion in 1989. He remained there for 10 days but was famously forced out by US forces blaring loud rock music night and day outside the embassy. 
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