Assange 'legal action on rights' (From This Is Local London)

Assange 'legal action on rights'

1:19pm Sunday 19th August 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has instructed his lawyers "to carry out a legal action" to protect his rights.

His legal adviser Baltasar Garzon emerged from the Ecuadorian embassy in London and said: "I have spoken to Julian Assange and I can tell you he is in fighting spirits and he is thankful to the people of Ecuador and especially to the president for granting asylum.

"Julian Assange has always fought for truth and justice and has defended human rights and continues to do so.

"He demands that WikiLeaks and his own rights be respected.

"Julian Assange has instructed his lawyers to carry out a legal action in order to protect the rights of WikiLeaks, Julian himself and all those currently being investigated."

When asked whether Mr Assange is negotiating for a guarantee that if he travels to Sweden to be interviewed he will not later be extradited to the US, Mr Garzon said: "There are no negotiations as far as I am aware.

"It is not within our area of competence to know whether there are negotiations."