Julian Assange had 2 kids with lawyer in Ecuadorian embassy
What's the story
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange got engaged and fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, his lawyer-fiancée has revealed.
A South African born-lawyer, Stella Morris (37), said she fell in love with Assange (48) five years ago.
She has now appealed for Assange's release, fearing for his life amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are more details.
Revelation
Court documents revealed Assange's secret relationship
According to The Daily Mail, Assange's secret family was revealed last week in court documents about his United States extradition case and an attempt by the Wikileaks founder to secure bail.
Reportedly, at the high-security Belmarsh prison in London where Assange is held, one person has died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Morris said she now fears for Assange's health.
Quote
'I fear I may lose him to the virus'
Morris told The Daily Mail, "For a long time I have feared I will lose Julian to suicide if there's no way in which he can stop his extradition to the US."
She added, "I now fear I may lose him for different reasons, and sooner, to the virus. He doesn't have a voice at present but I do. That's why I'm using it."
Details
Morris detailed how her relationship with Assange evolved
Reportedly, Morris first met Assange in 2011 over the rape case against the Wikileaks founder in Sweden, which was later dropped.
Morris became a part of Assange's "inner circle" at the Ecuadorian embassy and what began as a working relationship soon turned into a friendship.
In 2015, the two started a romantic relationship and got engaged two years later, Morris said.
Children
Couple has two kids, aged 2 and 1
Morris told The Mail that their first child, Gabriel, was conceived in 2016. Gabriel is now aged two and has a one-year-old brother, Max.
Gabriel and Max were born in London hospitals while Assange watched their births through a live video link, according to The Mail.
Reportedly, both boys are British citizens and have visited Assange in prison.
Quote
'I can see that his life is on the brink'
Morris said, "I've lived quietly and privately, raising Gabriel and Max and longing for the day we could be together as a family. Now I have to speak out because I can see that his life is on the brink."
Requests
Morris appealed for Assange's release citing his health
Morris has now pleaded for Assange's release saying his poor physical health puts him at risk of contracting COVID-19. "I don't believe he will survive infection with coronavirus."
She also fears for his mental well-being since he is "effectively in solitary confinement for 23 and half hours a day."
Assange's next extradition hearing is fixed for May 18.
Assange case
Why is Julian Assange in jail?
Assange faces charges under the US Espionage Act over the 2010 leak of classified government and military documents.
He sought refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012, skipping bail to avoid rape charges in Sweden. He was dragged out of the embassy last year and has remained at Belmarsh since.
The US has been trying to extradite Assange over the espionage charges.