The deputy foreign minister of Ecuador, Marco Albuja, expressed his concern for Assange as he gave a briefing to Russian press after wrapping up his delegation’s visit to Russia.

“Assange has visibly lost weight, and we are very concerned for his health,” he said, quoted by the Voice of Russia radio. “In case of his illness we will have to pick among two options: to treat Mr Assange at the embassy or to hospitalise him.”