The answer of the Deputy director of Information and Press department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia M.V. Zakharova to the question of mass media considering the situation around J. Assange

Question: What comments could you give on the current situation in Great Britain around the founder of Wikileaks J. Assange?

Answer: We are attentively monitoring the development of events around J. Assange who is taking shelter on the territory of the Embassy of Ecuador in London. The situation is bound to give rise to reflections about keeping with the letter and spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and its article 22 in particular, which secures the inviolacy of the premises of diplomatic missions.

But yet another question is arising here. It is well known that dozens of suspects in serious crimes have found asylum in Great Britain and are feeling safe there now. Other states, including Russia, are striving for their extradition. Then what can we do with the right of asylum of J. Assange, if the observance of this right for this category of persons is absolutized by London?

17 August 2012