London, June 20 (RHC)-- Julian Assange, renowned whistleblower and founder of WikiLeaks, has marked four years under arbitrary detention in London at the Ecuadorean embassy.  On Sunday, a series of events were launched throughout the world aimed at exposing the persecution of political activists and the dangers that anyone could become a target of global elites.

Julian Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since June 19, 2012, after he secured political asylum from Quito.  Police have pledged to arrest him should he ever attempt to leave on a European warrant.

He maintains that if he is sent to Sweden he would be extradited to the United States where he could face criminal charges punishable by death as a result of his association with WikiLeaks.

On Sunday, Assange was joined by Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Guillaume Long who reiterated Ecuador's support for his right to asylum.  Long also called on the public to attend events being held throughout the world to commemorate Assange's fight against arbitrary detention.

The events are organized under the banner of “First they came for Assange” -- to warn the public that those who challenge the the world's political and economic elite could face similar persecution.