Ecuador Denies Plan To Expel “Ingrateful” Assange

NBC News reports:

Ecuador has denied WikiLeaks’ claims that it is set to expel Julian Assange from its embassy in London, rejecting what it called “an attempt to stain the dignity of the country.” On Friday, WikiLeaks tweeted that Assange would be expelled from the embassy “within ‘hours to days'” and claimed that Ecuador “already has an agreement with the UK for his arrest.”

Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Friday that Assange and WikiLeaks have shown “ingratitude and disrespect” toward the country that has given him protection on its diplomatic soil by fueling rumors that he would be handed over to British authorities.

Ecuador “has made significant expenditures to pay for his stay” and has “endured its rudeness,” the ministry said.