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Scotland Yard Pulls 24/7 Police Watch Of Julian Assange

Police will stop waiting outside the Ecuadorian embassy near London where Julian Assange has asylum. The U.K. spent about $15 million on surveillance.

Scotland Yard Pulls 24/7 Police Watch Of Julian Assange
Getty Images / John Stillwell
SMS

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will no longer have 24/7 police surveillance at Ecuador's Embassy near London.

Since June 2012, Metropolitan police have patrolled the Ecuadorian Embassy where Assange has asylum.

But a recent report found the around-the-clock security has cost the government about 10 million pounds, or roughly $15 million. 

And that's a big reason why the security was pulled. In a statement Monday, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner said the 24/7 watch was no longer "proportionate."

Assange is facing extradition to Sweden on a possible rape allegation. Scotland Yard said if Assange leaves the embassy, it will "make every effort to arrest him." (Video via Sky News)

This video includes images from Getty Images.