Ecuador spends $5.8 million on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (center, back) was arrested by police and escorted out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on April 11. (Source: Rupity-TTXVN)

Ecuador's Foreign Minister Jose Valencia said on April 12 that the country has spent about $1 million a year on security and living arrangements for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in the grounds of the country's embassy in London since he sought asylum in 2012.

Speaking before the National Assembly, Foreign Minister Valencia announced that the security protection for Mr. Assange over the past 7 years has cost more than 5.8 million USD. In addition, other expenses such as medical care, food and laundry have also cost up to 400,000 USD.

Faced with that situation, the Ecuadorian government had to ask Mr. Assange to cover his own personal expenses since December 2018.

On April 11, Ecuador decided to revoke Mr. Assange's political asylum and then the WikiLeaks founder was arrested by British police at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

Mr. Julian Assange

In a court hearing the same day, a British judge convicted Mr. Assange of breaching bail in 2012 and he could face up to 12 months in prison for this crime.

In addition, legal experts say the WikiLeaks founder will face many other charges in the near future.

Mr. Assange's arrest has also been criticized by a number of countries. According to a VNA correspondent in South America, Bolivian President Evo Morales condemned the arrest. Sharing on Twitter, the Bolivian leader said that this was a violation of freedom of speech, and expressed support for Mr. Assange.

Meanwhile, former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa also strongly criticized the decision to withdraw diplomatic asylum and suspend citizenship for Mr. Assange, which was made during his leadership term.