Julian Assange, the founder of whistleblower website WikiLeaks, has said he will release over a million more documents in the coming year that will affect “every country in the world”. The activist made a rare public appearance on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has spent the last six month in refuge to avoid extradition to Sweden for alleged sex crimes. Addressing a 200 cheering crowd of supporters and international press, Assange said: “WikiLeaks has already over a million documents prepared to be released. Documents that affect every country in the world. Every country in this world. And in Australia an un-elected senator will be replaced by one that is elected.” Assange refused to give up his self-imposed incarceration saying he was holed up at the embassy for fear of the US investigation into his activities. “My work will not be cowed, but while this immoral investigation continues and while the Australian government will not defend the journalism and publishing of WikiLeaks I must remain here,” Assange said. “However, the door is open and the door has always been open for anyone who wishes to speak to me. Like you, I have not been charged with a crime,” he said. He also listed a series of jailed figures, including Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab and alleged Anonymous hacker Jeremy Hammond. The the 41-year-old Australian also praised jailed US soldier Bradley Manning, the alleged source of WikiLeaks’ most embarrassing revelations.
