Mexico is reportedly in contact with Australia about a possible release.
QUICK FACTS:
- Mexican President Lopez Obrador has doubled down on his offer of asylum for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Politico MX reported.
- The Mexican politician described Assange as “politically persecuted” and said he is in direct communication with the Australian team.
- “There has been communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and yes, we offer asylum. We are in favor of his being released because he is politically persecuted. It is a shameful act that a person who discloses valuable information,” Obrador said in his morning conference from the National Palace on Thursday.
PREVIOUS CALLS FOR ASSANGE’S RELEASE:
- President Obrador made headlines in January when he said Assange deserved a pardon, stating that former President Donald Trump should have pardoned the polarizing figure before leaving office.
- Australian-born Assange was moved closer to criminal charges in the United States late in 2021 when Washington won an appeal for his extradition in an English court.
BACKGROUND:
- Authorities believe that Assange is guilty of 18 prosecutable counts relating to his Wikileaks organization’s release of confidential military records and diplomatic information, which they said puts lives in danger.
- “It would be a sign of solidarity, of fraternity to allow him asylum in the country that Assange decides to live in, including Mexico,” Obrador said during his previous request on Assange’s behalf.
