QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - Ecuador's foreign minister says there will
be no decision until after the Summer Olympics on the political
exile request of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino told reporters Wednesday it
would be imprudent to announce a decision during the London Games, which begin Friday and end Aug. 12.

Assange sought refuge in Ecuador's London embassy on June 19 to
avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning
about allegations of sexual misconduct.

Assange contends the sexual misconduct claims are trumped up and
that he's being persecuted politically for publishing secretive
U.S. documents including diplomatic cables.

WikiLeaks announced Tuesday that it has hired the Spanish judge
Baltasar Garzon to head the legal team representing Assange.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.