Britain warns Ecuador over Assange asylum

QUITO, Ecuador - Ecuador accused Britain on Wednesday of threatening to storm its London embassy to arrest Julian Assange after the U.K. issued a stern warning to the South American nation ahead of its decision on an asylum bid by the WikiLeaks founder.

Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said Britain had earlier in the day issued “a written threat it could assault our embassy” if Mr Assange is not handed over.

Mr Patino said he would announce on Thursday morning whether Ecuador would grant the request of the secret-spilling former Australian hacker, who took refuge in Ecuador’s embassy on June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden. Mr Assange faces questioning there for alleged sexual misconduct.

As news broke of the warning, police were seen reinforcing Scotland Yard’s presence outside the embassy. In Quito, about 30 people yelling “England, what part don’t you understand, we are sovereign!” protested outside the British Embassy, and briefly trampled a British flag.

In London, a small group of Mr Assange supporters gathered outside the Ecuadorean embassy late Wednesday, according to live footage broadcast by a citizen journalist on the scene. The embassy was dark, though occasionally curtains appeared to move.

British officials have vowed not grant Mr Assange safe passage out of their country. They say they will arrest him the moment he steps foot outside the embassy.