`` He always stood up for the underdog , '' Assange 's stepfather says . The WikiLeaks founder has been living in a London embassy since June 2012 after being granted political asylum by Ecuador over fears he would be extradited to Sweden if sent back to his native Ecuador. The U.S. State Department recently slammed WikiLeak 's `` pattern of irresponsible , '' dangerous actions . Assange : `` It is my role to be the lightning rod ''
`` He always stood up for the underdog , '' Assange 's stepfather says . Assange 's mother said she was concerned he had become `` too smart for himself '' The U.S. State Department recently slammed WikiLeak 's `` pattern of irresponsible , '' dangerous actions . Assange : `` It is my role to be the lightning rod ''