Mexican president offers Assange asylum after U.S. extradition bid thwarted

A demonstrator ties banners displaying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, as Mexico's government is ready to offer political asylum to Assange and supports the decision of a British judge to deny extradition of the WikiLeaks founder to the United States, during a protest outside the U.K. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico January 4, 2021. REUTERS/Luis Cortes

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday offered political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a move that could anger the United States, which is seeking his extradition.

Celebrating a decision by a British judge on Monday to deny a request to extradite Assange to the United States, Lopez Obrador said he wanted his foreign minister to ask Britain if it could release Assange so Mexico could offer him asylum.