"It is not acceptable to try to place the responsibility for the lack of progress in this area over the last five years on Ecuador," Xavier Lasso was quoted by Press Association news agency as saying.
Lasso stated that Ecuador would not "take lessons from any foreign government, least of all those that are unaware of the institution of political asylum, its legitimacy, attached and enshrined in international law, and its humanitarian nature based on the sovereign equality of nations."
In 2010, Swedish authorities accused, but did not charge, Assange of unlawful sexual coercion and rape. The whistleblower has denied the accusations, stating that the Swedish extradition attempts are ultimately aimed at sending him to the United States, where he faces treason charges for publishing online thousands of leaked top-secret military documents and diplomatic cables.
Under Swedish law, prosecutors have five years to bring a case of coercion. Three of four sexual assault cases against the WikiLeaks founder will be dropped on August 18, when the statute of limitation expires, according to the Swedish authorities. A rape count would remain in force until 2020,
