Last Thursday, two Australian government officials visited Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, this is the first time Australian consular officials visited Assange at the embassy.
Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, who accompanied the officials said: “Julian Assange is in a very serious situation. He remains in the embassy because of the risk of extradition to the US.”
Due to the “delicate diplomatic situation,” Robinson could not disclose what was discussed at the meeting, according to Fairfax.
Assange’s physical condition has also reportedly deteriorated. His ailments include respiratory infections, tooth problems, frozen shoulder, and depression, as revealed in court proceedings according to Fairfax.
Assange took refuge in the embassy on June 9, 2012, to avoid sexual abuse charges in Sweden. He denied these charges and authorities have since closed the investigation, stating that it couldn’t proceed with Assange being outside of Sweden.
However, British authorities are still seeking his arrest, which he still faces if he steps out of the embassy due his warrant not being revoked by an English court.
In May, the President of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno, ordered security measures at the embassy in London to be withdrawn and that “it will maintain normal security similar to that of other Ecuadorian embassies,” the Ecuadorian government said in a statement.
According to Fairfax, Assange has complained about not obtaining consular assistance from the Australian Government for many years.
In an email to Epoch Times, a spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Mr. Assange through the Australian High Commission in London. Owing to our privacy obligations we will not provide further comment.”
Ecuador suspended Assange’s communication systems in March and was denied visitors apart from lawyers.
Reuters contributed to this report.
