U.K. Removes Police From Embassy Where Julian Assange Is Staying

LONDON — Police officers who have been stationed for more three years outside London’s Ecuadorian Embassy to arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange were withdrawn Monday, officials said.

Assange took refuge in the embassy in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning over sexual assault and rape allegations against two women.

London’s Metropolitan Police had stationed officers 24 hours a day outside the building, ready to arrest him if he left.

On Monday, the force said it was “no longer proportionate to commit officers to a permanent presence.”

In a statement, it added that officers remained “committed to…

Read the rest of the story from our partners at NBC News