UK police reviewing policy on watching WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange because of cost
LONDON – British police say they are reviewing the policy of keeping a watch on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has taken refuge at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe told LBC radio Tuesday police are reviewing options because of the resources used to keep tabs on Assange.
He said the round-the-clock guard is “sucking our resources.”
Assange has taken refuge at the embassy since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning about possible sexual assaults. He denies any wrongdoing. He says he fears being sent to the United States to face trial for his WikiLeaks work.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said last week that it has cost roughly 10 million pounds ($15 million) to keep a police presence outside the embassy in central London.
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