France rejects Julian Assange’s asylum request

France has rejected an asylum request from Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks.

In a statement reported by Channel News Asia, Prime Minister Francois Hollande’s office explained the rejection by saying that Assange is in no immediate danger.

{mosads}Assange, who has been holed up in Equador’s embassy in London, requested asylum in a letter.

“France has received the letter from Mr. Assange. An in-depth review shows that in view of the legal and material elements of Mr Assange’s situation, France cannot grant his request,” Hollande’s office said.

“The situation of Mr Assange does not present an immediate danger. Furthermore, he is subject to a European arrest warrant.”

Assange is wanted for questioning on sexual molestation and rape charges in Sweden.

His supporters have argued the charges are trumped up and related to his work at Wikileaks, where he released documents provided by Chelsea Manning on U.S. war actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The U.S. has argued the documents put U.S. overseas informants and agents in danger.