MADRID (Sputnik) — Assange, a 44-year-old Australian national, has been wanted for questioning by Swedish authorities since 2010 in relation to accusations of sexual coercion and rape. He has been residing at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012, fearing extradition to Sweden and subsequently to the United States where he could face espionage charges.
Garzon, a former judge who spent 32 years investigating terrorism offenses in Spain, visited his client two weeks ago.
He explained that although "Ecuador treats us well," the fact that Assange cannot leave the embassy, even to receive medical assistance, "violates all treaties and agreements that guarantee good treatment of people who are subject to legal proceedings or detention."
The WikiLeaks founder believes that Sweden’s rape charges are a ploy to extradite him to the United States, where he is wanted for publishing thousands of leaked top-secret military documents and diplomatic cables.