Assange’s ‘chronic lung ailment can worsen anytime`

Sydney: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has a lung condition that could get worse, the Ecuadorian Ambassador to London has said. “He has a chronic lung condition that could worsen at any time,” Ambassador Ana Alban said. Alban said Ecuador was ‘covering his medical expenses’ and arranging ‘regular medical check-ups,’ noting that Assange has been living "in a confined space" since seeking asylum 162 days ago to avoid extradition to Sweden on charges of rape and sexual assault. She did not give further details on his health, the Age reports. Ecuador granted Assange asylum on August 16, but Britain has refused to grant him safe passage out of the country, leaving the two governments in diplomatic deadlock and Assange stuck inside the embassy. According to the report, Assange said in an interview published on September 30 that his health was "slowly deteriorating" in the embassy, adding that he had "a racking cough." ANI