Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange, 'Could Be Planning To Surrender'

After spending two years holed up inside the central London building, the Australian is holding a news conference this morning - when he is expected to spell out his next move. Widespread reports suggest the WikiLeaks website founder needs hospital treatment for heart and lung problems. But, under continuing surveillance since he requested political asylum from Ecuador in June 2012 and with police stationed outside the embassy around the clock, he will be arrested if he leaves. Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "Mr Assange gave a newspaper interview yesterday in which he sounded very dispirited. "A lot of the fighting spirit seems to have gone out of him. It's also been made clear from those around him that he's quite ill. "He's said to have a heart condition, a chronic lung complaint, bad eyesight, high blood-pressure, all as a result of ... two years in the Ecuadorian embassy."

Brunt added that Mr Assange had initially anticipated a diplomatic solution to his problems would be reached within a couple of months. The 43-year-old has been investigated by US authorities since WikiLeaks published leaked military and diplomatic documents in 2010. He was granted asylum in 2012 and is facing an arrest warrant in Sweden over allegations he sexually assaulted two women. He denies the allegations. Mr Assange has said he does not want to go to Sweden because he fears he would be extradited to the US to face questioning.

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