Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has announced that he will leave the Ecuador embassy in London “soon” after two years confined to the building.

In a press conference alongside Ecuadorian foreign minister Ricardo Patino, Assange said that his health has suffered during his confinement and he would leave the embassy soon. However, he did not set a firm date to leave the protection of Ecuador.

Patino said:

“It is time to free Julian Assange, it is time for his human rights to be finally respected.”

Rumours have circulated that Assange was suffering a heart defect and a chronic lung condition and required treatment, but the Australian denied that this was the reason for his move.

Assange, 43, has remained within the Ecuadorian embassy since June 2012 in order to avoid to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault.