WikiLeaks founder Assange to leave embassy "soon" citing health

2014-08-18 7

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he'll soon leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he's spent the last two years to avoid extradition to Sweden.

He's wanted there on charges of sexual assault and rape, allegations he strongly denies.

Speaking at a news conference, Assange said his time holed up in the embassy has hurt his health but didn't specify how.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WIKILEAKS FOUNDER, JULIAN ASSANGE, SAYING: (CONTINUES OVER SPANISH TRANSLATION)

"As you can imagine, being detained in various ways in this country without charge for four years, and in this embassy for two years which has no outside area, and therefore no sunlight…it is an environment in which any healthy person would find themselves soon enough in difficulties."

Assange has breached his bail terms in the UK so if and when he does step outside the embassy, he faces immediate arrest.

He says he plans to end his stay at the embassy imminently, but has no intention of h