Metropolitan Police will still arrest Julian Assange if he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy, despite reports suggesting a UN panel has ruled in his favour
The Metropolitan Police has said a warrant for the arrest of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange remains in place, despite reports a UN panel has ruled he is being arbitrarily detained at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan police told City A.M.: "Our position hasn't changed since October." In October last year the force removed its 24-hour guard outside the embassy, saying it "remains committed to executing the arrest warrant and presenting Julian Assange before the court".
The BBC reported this morning that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which was due to unveil the findings of its investigation tomorrow, had decided in Assange's favour.
Last night Assange issued a statement saying he would accept arrest by the British police if the panel ruled against him, as there will be "no meaningful prospect of further appeal".
https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/695084493825273856
Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in 2012, after he was ordered to face allegations of rape in Sweden.