In a historically unprecedented role reversal, the Chinese dissident is calling for a Westerner to be freed.

London (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei has called on the United Kingdom and European nations to prevent the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States, where he risks life imprisonment.

Assange is the founder of WikiLeaks, which in 2010, along with Chelsea Manning, released a trove of classified US material, causing no end of diplomatic headaches for Washington.

In a historically unprecedented role reversal, the Chinese dissident is seeking freedom for a Westerner.

Ai Weiwei, who now lives in Berlin, met Assange yesterday in Belmarsh prison. On Twitter he stated that Assange's health "is deteriorating".

The Australian journalist has been in a British prison since the Ecuadorean embassy in London decided to revoke the asylum it granted him for seven years.

Assange is currently subject to a British extradition process upon demand from the United States. He is also wanted in Sweden on suspicion of rape.