WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has sought political asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, has breached bail conditions and is subject to arrest, police said on Wednesday.
The conditions include staying at his bail address between 10.00pm and 8.00am and “he is now subject to arrest under the Bail Act for breach of these conditions,” a Scotland Yard spokeswoman told AFP.
However, the Foreign Office said late on Tuesday that because Assange was in an embassy he was on diplomatic territory and “beyond the reach of the police”, although it said it was working to resolve the situation.
Assange, a 40-year-old Australian, was arrested in London in December 2010 on a European warrant issued by Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over sex crime allegations.
He entered the Ecuadorian embassy on Tuesday seeking diplomatic sanctuary. The Ecuadorian government has said it is considering his request.
The police spokeswoman said: “At around 22.20 hours (21.20 GMT) on Tuesday the Metropolitan Police Service was notified that Assange had breached one of those bail conditions.
“He is now subject to arrest under the Bail Act for breach of these conditions.
“Officers are aware of his location at the Ecuador embassy in Hans Crescent, London.”
A police officer was seen entering the embassy in central London and leaving again on Tuesday night. - AFP