Penny Wong moves to dampen expectation of breakthrough in Julian Assange case

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains in Belmarsh prison in London as he fights a US attempt to extradite him to face charges. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

The Australian government has moved to dampen expectations of a breakthrough in the case of Julian Assange, saying there are limits to what diplomacy can achieve.

The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said Australia would continue to express the view to both the US and UK governments that the case against the WikiLeaks co-founder “has dragged on long enough and should be brought to a close”.