Ecuador's Rafael Correa: Assange granted asylum to prevent extradition to a 'third country' (Video)

Ecuador's president says the fact that he granted asylum to Julian Assange doesn't mean he agrees with everything the WikiLeaks founder says or does. 

Rafael Correa say asylum was granted Thursday because Sweden wouldn't offer assurances that it would not extradite Assange to the United States.

Assange took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning for alleged sexual misconduct.

Correa said in a radio interview Friday that it's possible Assange has committed ``an offense'' but insists that he deserves due process.

He repeated Ecuador's contention that Assange could face life in prison or even the death penalty in the United States, which Assange backers believe has secretly indicted him for publishing US secrets.


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Ecuador's Rafael Correa for Assange

Guardian, The Economic Times