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The Ecuadorian government revoked his internet and phone access in March after he breached an agreement “not to issue messages that might interfere with other states”. Only members of his legal team have been allowed to visit during this period. However, Wikileaks yesterday announced that his “isolation regime” was over after talks between UN officials and Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno on Friday. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression David Kaye met with President Moreno and agreed to partially alleviate the ban on communications.

Editor-in-chief of Wikileaks Kristin Hrafnsson said: “It is positive that, through UN intervention, Ecuador has partly ended the isolation of Mr Assange although it is of grave concern that his freedom to express his opinions is still limited. “The UN has already declared Mr Assange a victim of arbitrary detention. “This unacceptable situation must end. “The UK Government must abide by the UN’s ruling and guarantee that he can leave the embassy without the threat of extradition to the United States.”

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and President Moreno of Ecaduor

Ecuadorian embassy in London, where Julian Assange has been residing for six years

Mr Assange has not left the Ecuadorian embassy for six years after losing a legal battle against extradition to Sweden over rape and sexual assault allegations. He fears eventual extradition to the United States to be questioned over the leaking of sensitive information via Wikileaks and could be charged with treason or spying. The Australian-born programmer founded Wikileaks in 2006, but came to international attention in 2010 when the site published a series of highly sensitive leaks from Chelsea Manning. In the same year, Sweden issued an arrest warrant for Mr Assange for rape and sexual assault allegations, which he denies.

Julian Assange speaks from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy