The Ecuadoreans, it seems, are in quite a predicament. The issue concerns the fate of the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, who is holed up in their Embassy at Knightsbridge in London since 2012.
Ecuador has granted him citizenship last month and earlier last week sought to provide diplomatic status for him in order to get him out of UK, which was turned down by British authorities.
Assange sought refuge then to evade being extradited to Sweden where he faced questioning on charges of rape and assault. Sweden later dropped charges.
He could still face jail for jumping bail and Assange contends that US authorities may extradite him for revealing hundreds of classified papers.
But recent media reports hint that Ecuador’s bid on behalf of the high-profile asylum seeker arose out of the WikiLeaks founder’s lack of personal hygiene. Apparently, the embassy staff had a hard time putting up with Assange’s manners which included eating with his hands, and wiping it off on his pants, and not washing properly.
At the embassy, Assange’s bedroom is reportedly a converted female restroom, after he complained of noise from outside at the earlier quarters that he was provided with. The new location meant that he shares a single restroom with embassy staff.

Assange’s lack of hygiene creates stink at Ecuador embassy

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. (File photo: Reuters)
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English
Sunday 14 January 2018
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:56 - GMT 06:56
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