This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. <\/p>\n
AMY GOODMAN: We turn now to a Democracy Now! exclusive. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has just entered his third year inside Ecuadors Embassy in London where he has political asylum. Assange faces investigations in both Sweden and the United States. Here in the U.S., a secret grand jury is investigating WikiLeaks for its role in publishing a trove of leaked documents about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as State Department cables. In Sweden, hes wanted for questioning on allegations of sexual misconduct, though no charges have been filed. Late last week, there was the first break in the Swedish case in two years. A Swedish court announced it would hold a hearing July 16th over a request by his lawyers for prosecutors to hand over new evidence and withdraw the arrest warrant. <\/p>\n
Well, late last night, we flew back to New York after interviewing Julian Assange inside the embassy. <\/p>\n
AMY GOODMAN: The Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where Julian Assange is holed uphe has been here for just over two years, just celebrated his 43rd birthday inside the embassy. Here you can see the British police, and right in front of me is the balcony where Julian Assange has come out and addressed his supporters and addressed the media. The Ecuadorean flag hangs from that balcony. As to when Julian Assange will come out, well, he is concerned, if he steps foot outside, he will be arrested by the British police. So, for now, hes inside, this nomad of the digital age. <\/p>\n
Were in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where Julian Assange took refuge two years ago. Hes been detained in Britain for close now to four years. <\/p>\n
Welcome to Democracy Now!, Julian. <\/p>\n
JULIAN ASSANGE: Thank you, Amy. <\/p>\n
AMY GOODMAN: How are you doing here? Its been over two years that you have really not seen daylight for any extended period of time. <\/p>\n
JULIAN ASSANGE: Theres been nearly four years that Ive been detained without charge, in one form or another, here in the United Kingdom, first in prison, the solitary confinement, then under house arrest for about 18 months, and now two years here in the embassy. The Ecuadorean government gave me political asylum in relation to the ongoing national security investigation by the DOJ, the Department of Justice, in the United States into our publications and also into sourcing efforts. So, did I enter into a conspiracy with Chelsea Manning, who was sentenced last year to 35 years in prison? <\/p>\n
So, the question as to how Im doing, of course, personally, its a difficult situation, in a variety of ways. I would say that when someones in this position, what you are most concerned about is the interruption in your family relationships. So, because of the security situation, thats made it very hard for my children and my parents. <\/p>\n
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