Assange Could Stay in the Ecuadorean Embassy Until 2020

Despite Swedish authorities dropping three charges of sexual assault against Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder may have to stay in the Ecuadorian embassy in London until 2020 — when the most serious charges expire — to avoid arrest.

Assange is still under investigation for an alleged rape in Sweden and for alleged espionage in the United States. He has always denied all allegations and says they are part of a smear campaign.

The Swedish prosecutor said three of the charges have expired, but recalled that the most serious will be open until August 17, 2020. Questioning is required before formal charges can be made and the previous charges expired because Sweden refused to interview Assange in the embassy in London, or allow video call inquiry.

RELATED: Assange: 1000 Days in Ecuador’s Embassy

Assange’s defense coordinator, Baltasar Garzon, said his client’s aim is to clarify that his persecution is for political reasons.

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since June 2012, when he secured political asylum from Quito after he lost a legal battle against extradition to Sweden.

Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry says Quito has regularly shown it is willing to to facilitate an open and legal process with Sweden.

Asylum was granted given Assange's fears he would be extradited to the U.S. over his role in WikiLeaks and the espionage charges they have against him. Ecuador has repeatedly offered the Swedish authorities the option of entering the embassy to question Assange.

Assange gained international prominence in 2010, when WikiLeaks began publishing thousands of confidential U.S. diplomatic cables, which embarrassed the U.S. government.