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Political asylum policy of London unclear to Moscow

The Russian Foreign Ministry said about it with regard to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s situation

MOSCOW, August 17 (Itar-Tass) — The political asylum policy of London is unclear to Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday with regard to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s situation.

“We are closely monitoring the situation of Julian Assange who has taken refuge on the premises of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London,” ministry vice-spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. “The situation makes us think about the observation of the letter and the spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, in particular, Article 22 that declares the inviolability of diplomatic missions’ property.”

“There is one more question. It is the matter of common knowledge that dozens of suspected felons whose extradition is demanded by Russia and other states have found refuge in the UK and feel safe there. What about the refuge right of Assange, since London calls absolute the observation of this right of such category of persons?” she wondered.