"We will not allow Mr. Assange safe passage out of the U.K., nor is there any legal basis for us to do so," Foreign Secretary William Hague said at a press conference late Thursday local U.K. time.

The secretary added: "It is important to understand that this is not about Mr. Assange's activities at Wikileaks or the attitude of the United States of America. He is wanted in Sweden to answer allegations of serious sexual offenses."

The British government has reportedly said that it will not permit Assange to leave the country to travel to Ecuador, so that country's offer of asylum would likely restrict him to staying in its London embassy, as long as the U.K. respects that as sovereign territory under diplomatic treaties. On Wednesday, the embassy posted a statement on its website objecting to what to enter the embassy forcibly.

Outside the embassy the police and Assage's supporters -- some of whom appear to be convinced he is the victim of a conspiracy -- had once again gathered outside court building, shouting "Julian Assange, freedom fighter" and "Hands off Ecuador." They waited through a downpour before getting the decision, and once it came applause and cheers erupted.