World

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, left, with his legal adviser Balthasar Garcon, 2nd right, with others unidentified, look at papers inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Sunday Aug. 19, 2012. (AP Photo / Sean Dempsey, PA)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has called on President Barack Obama to end a "witch hunt" against his secret-spilling website, after appearing in public for the first time since he took refuge inside Ecuador's embassy in London two months ago.

The 41-year-old Australian was on Thursday granted asylum by Ecuador as he seeks to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over sexual misconduct allegations.

"I ask President Obama to do the right thing, the United States must renounce its witch hunt against WikiLeaks," Assange said Sunday, speaking from a small balcony.

He also called on the U.S. to release Pfc. Bradley Manning, the U.S. soldier who has been charged with aiding the enemy by passing the secret files to WikiLeaks and is awaiting trial.