Assange to run for Australian Senate

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will run for a Senate seat in the 2013 Australian federal election, Assange`s mother said Wednesday.

Canberra: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will run for a Senate seat in the 2013 Australian federal election, Assange`s mother said Wednesday.

"He will be awesome," Xinhua quoted Christine Assange as telling the Australian Associated Press.

Assange, born in Australia`s Queensland state, announced his Senate ambition in December 2012. He is still residing in Ecuador`s embassy in London.

He sought refuge at the embassy in June 2012 in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces rape allegations.

Assange, who founded the whistleblowing website WikiLeaks, fears that if he goes to Sweden to be questioned over rape allegations, authorities will allow him to be extradited to the US.

WikiLeaks has published thousands of US diplomatic cables on its website.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced Wednesday that the federal election will be held Sep 14.

IANS

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