Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has sued the government of Ecuador for violating his "fundamental rights".
"The move comes almost seven months after Ecuador threatened to remove his protection and summarily cut off his access to the outside world, including by refusing to allow journalists and human rights organisations to see him," WikiLeaks said. It added that the embassy was requiring Assange's visitors—including journalists and lawyers—to disclose "private or political details such as their social media usernames". The Ecuador government issued no immediate statement in response.
Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012 when he was granted asylum as part of a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faces sexual assault allegations. Though the case has been dropped Assange fears US extradition due to his work with Wikileaks and has continued to remain in the embassy.
The accusations against Ecuador come after a document was leaked earlier this week revealing a new set of house rules Assange must adhere to in London from December 1.
The memo, which was written in Spanish and first published by Ecuadorean website Codigo Vidrio, specifies that Assange must pay for his own expenses like food, medical and laundry, that visitors must have prior authorization, and that he must not only keep the spaces inside the embassy clean, but also take care of his cat. It also reiterates the position that he is not allowed to interfere in any other country's political matters.
The leaked document says that the 47-year-old is at risk of losing both his pet and his asylum status if he does not comply.
Assange's legal action comes with speculation mounting that Ecuador was preparing to end its standoff with the British government by terminating his six-year asylum.