Ecuador Prepared to Let Assange Stay in Embassy Indefinitely

WikiLeaks founder may be stuck in England, even if granted asylum.

The government of Ecuador is prepared to allow Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, to remain in its embassy in London indefinitely under a type of humanitarian protection, a government official said in Quito Wednesday night. Mr. Assange has been holed up in the embassy for two months seeking asylum.

Amid an escalating confrontation with Britain over Mr. Assange, Ecuadorean officials said they would announce the decision of the country's president, Rafael Correa, on Thursday. The official said that the British government had made it clear they would not allow Mr. Assange to leave the country to travel to Ecuador, so even with a grant of asylum, he would likely remain stuck in the embassy.