QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - Ecuador's foreign minister says there will be no decision until after the Summer Olympics on the political exile request of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino told reporters Wednesday it would be imprudent to announce a decision during the London Games, which begin Friday and end Aug. 12.
Assange sought refuge in Ecuador's London embassy on June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about allegations of sexual misconduct.
Assange contends the sexual misconduct claims are trumped up and that he's being persecuted politically for publishing secretive U.S. documents including diplomatic cables.
WikiLeaks announced Tuesday that it has hired the Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon to head the legal team representing Assange.
