Police officers, stationed outside the Ecuadorean embassy in London where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has sought refuge since 2012, were withdrawn on Monday over three years after they were stationed there.
A police officer gestures outside Ecuador's embassy where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has sought political asylum, in London. Photograph: Paul Hackett/ Reuters
Assange sought refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning in connection with sexual assault and rape allegations against two women.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speaks to the media outside the Ecuador embassy in west London. The Metropolitan Police have announced they are withdrawing their round the clock guard of the embassy. Photograph: Olivia Harris/ Reuters
A Scotland Yard statement said that they're 'resources are finite' and that there were 'many other threats to the city'.
Police gather outside the Ecuador embassy in west London. Photograph: Olivia Harris/ Reuters
'The Metropolitan Police service has to balance the interests of justice in this case with the ongoing risks to the safety of Londoners and all those we protect, investigating crime and arresting offenders wanted for serious offences, in deciding what a proportionate response is,' the statement read.
A police officer reacts to the heat of the day before a speech by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuador's embassy, where he is taking refuge in London. Photograph: Chris Helgren/ Reuters
The Metropolitan Police said it had cost £12.6 million (around Rs 125 crore) on the arrangement but it would still try to arrest him.
Police and protesters wait for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to speak to the media outside the Ecuador embassy in west London. Photograph: Olivia Harris/ Reuters
In the statement, the Metropolitan Police added that officers remained 'committed to executing the arrest warrant and presenting Julian Assange before the court' and vowed to 'deploy a number of overt and covert tactics to arrest him'.
A police officer leaves Ecuador's embassy where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has sought political asylum, in London. Photograph: Paul Hackett/ Reuters
'They will still arrest Julian if he steps outside the embassy so there is no real change to the situation, other than the removal of uniformed police officers,' he said.
A police officer stands guard outside Equador's Embassy in London. Photograph: Neil Hall/ Reuters
Assange faces arrest for breaching British bail conditions if he leaves the embassy, which has been giving him sanctuary. According to the Metropolitan Police, the decision to withdraw the watch came after a continual review.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange gestures as he speaks from the balcony of Ecuador's embassy, where he is taking refuge in London. Photograph: Chris Helgren/ Reuters
'A significant amount of time has passed since Julian Assange entered the embassy, and despite the efforts of many people there is no imminent prospect of a diplomatic or legal resolution to this issue,' the statement added.
Police officers walk past the Ecuador embassy following a shift change in London. Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/ Reuters
Wikileaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said he had spoken to Assange about the decision, and he agreed it did not change his situation.
