QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuadoran officials have asked the United Kingdom to let WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leave his asylum at the country’s embassy in London briefly for medical checks. Britain responded Thursday by saying he could have medical care but would be arrested if he leaves the embassy.
Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said that Assange needs an MRI for a pain in his shoulder that began three months ago. Assange has been living at the embassy since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces allegations of sexual misconduct and rape of two women. He denies the accusations and said he believes that Sweden would send him to the United States to face charges.
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