2018-12-06 Julian Assange rejects UK-Ecuador deal for him to leave the embassy, The Telegraph

Mr Moreno earlier this year announced that he was severing Mr Assange’s telephone and internet links, and in October said he was banning him from making “political statement” that jeopardised Ecuador’s relations with other countries. Mr Assange then sued for a breach of his human rights.

From December, he was also due to pay for his own costs of food, medical care and laundry, in yet another sign of the growing impatience of the Ecuadorean government.

Mr Moreno added that Britain had guaranteed that the Australian would not be extradited to any country where his life is in danger.

But Mr Assange’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, told The Telegraph that the deal was not acceptable.

The legal team have long argued that they will not accept any agreement which risks his being extradited to the United States.

Last year Jeff Sessions, the former US attorney general, said arresting Mr Assange was a priority.

In November a filing error revealed that Mr Assange faced charges in the US – although it was not clear what those charges were.

Many speculate they would be connected to the release of classified information, and Mr Assange fears a long prison sentence in the US for what his supporters say is publishing information in the public interest.

“The suggestion that as long as the death penalty is off the table, Mr Assange need not fear persecution is obviously wrong,” said Mr Pollack.

“No one should have to face criminal charges for publishing truthful information.

“Since such charges appear to have been brought against Mr Assange in the United States, Ecuador should continue to provide him asylum.”

Mr Assange fled to the embassy to avoid charges of rape, sexual molestation and coercion. All charges were dropped by May 2017.

He does, however, still face charges in the UK of skipping bail.