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EPA
Julian Assange addressed the audience in Quito by teleconference
A judge in Ecuador ruled against WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, who had challenged the new rules that had been imposed on him at the country's embassy in London.
The judge said that an obligation to pay to use the Internet and clean up, after his cat did not violate his right to asylum.
Mr. Assange had asserted that these conditions constituted a violation of his "fundamental rights and freedoms" and were intended to force him to leave.
His lawyers appealed the decision.
Mr. Assange was a refugee at the embassy six years ago to avoid extradition to Sweden in a case of sexual assault abandoned since.
If he leaves the building, he risks being arrested for alleged violation of bail conditions.
Earlier this month, the London embassy sent Mr. Assange new rules of procedure including paying for the use of the Internet and taking better care of his cat. He was also asked to keep the bathroom clean and to pay for his own food and linen.
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Reuters
Mr. Assange received the cat by his children
WikiLeaks' lawyer, Baltasar Garzon, filed suit in Ecuador earlier this month and Assange addressed the audience on Monday in a conference call in Quito.
He added that Ecuador was trying to end his asylum at the embassy, which would be extradited to the United States. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that the arrest of Julian Assange was a "priority".
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Reuters
Julian Assange is hiding at the London embassy since 2012
The Attorney General of Ecuador, Inigo Salvador, said that if Mr. Assange wanted to stay "and that he complies with the rules … he can stay at the Embassy for as long as he" s. he wishes it ". He added that his stay at the Embassy had until then cost $ 6 million to Ecuador.
Judge Karina Martinez ruled against Assange, saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responsible for determining his living conditions.
The legal team of Mr. Assange has launched an appeal that will be heard by a higher court in the coming days.
In March, the Embassy in London removed Mr. Assange's Internet connection, accusing him of "interfering in the affairs of other countries".
He later said that it would be partially restored.
WikiLeaks was created by Mr. Assange and a group of like-minded friends in 2006 as a site where whistle-blowers can send confidential documents and images for online publication.
The site took on importance with the broadcast of a video in 2010 of a US Army helicopter firing on civilians in Iraq.
