Ecuador's foreign minister says WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange has taken refuge in the South American country's embassy in London and is seeking political asylum.
Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said Ecuador was looking into the request.
The move comes less than a week after Britain's Supreme Court rejected Assange's attempt to reopen his extradition case.
Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden after two women accused him of sexual misconduct in mid-2010.
Assange shot to international prominence in 2010 when WikiLeaks released hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. documents.
Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said Ecuador was looking into the request.
The move comes less than a week after Britain's Supreme Court rejected Assange's attempt to reopen his extradition case.
Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden after two women accused him of sexual misconduct in mid-2010.
Assange shot to international prominence in 2010 when WikiLeaks released hundreds of thousands of secret U.S. documents.