(Image source: Wikimedia Commons )

BY NICHOLE CARTMELL

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is making headlines again. This time he is requesting political asylum in Ecuador.   Here is Sky News with the latest from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

“As a s signatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration for Human Rights, with an obligation to review all applications for asylum, we have immediately passed his application on to the relevant department in Quito.”

Assange’s request comes after the United Kingdom Supreme Court dismissed his application to reopen his appeal that would stop his extradition to Sweden. He is wanted in Sweden on two counts of sexual abuse. CNN reports ...

“Assange has maintained his innocence and claims the allegations against him are politically motivated. He fears that if he is extradited to Sweden, authorities there could hand him over to the United States, where he then could be prosecuted for his role in the leaking of classified documents.”

An associate editor for The Atlantic wonders why Assange made the decided to apply for asylum in Ecuador.

“...would this really be the safest destination for a self-styled journalist and revolutionary ? The Ecuadorian government at times imposes severe — and worsening — restrictions on journalists as well as critics of President Rafael Correa.”

In 2010, Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry offered Assange residency after he leaked classified documents.  But that offer was then rescinded by Ecuador’s president.   Now, two years later a research analyst for the Eurasia Group told Businessweek that Ecuador’s relationship with the U.S. will play a role in the application process.

“Ecuador, which is seeking U.S. renewal of trade benefits due to expire next year, may hesitate to grant Assange asylum to avoid damaging its commercial relationship with the world’s largest economy.”

For now Assange will remain under protection of the Ecuadorian Embassy until his application for asylum is reviewed.