By Katie Bo Williams - 10/18/16 06:54 PM EDT
The Ecuadorian government confirmed Tuesday that it cut off WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s internet connection because of his anti-secrecy platform’s publication of emails allegedly stolen from Hillary Clinton campaign manager John Podesta.
“The Government of Ecuador respects the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states. It does not interfere in external electoral processes, nor does it favor any particular candidate,” Ecuador said in a statement.
“Accordingly, Ecuador has exercised its sovereign right to temporarily restrict access to some of its private communications network within its Embassy in the United Kingdom.”
The emails are believed to have been stolen by the Russian government and their release has been widely seen as a deliberate attempt to meddle in the U.S. election — although some Republicans have lauded their publication.
GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has repeatedly invoked the content of the emails on the stump as evidence that the Democratic nominee is not fit to serve. Assange has also been explicit in his belief that Clinton should not become president.
The Clinton campaign has refused to confirm the authenticity of the emails.
Despite Tuesday's development, Ecuador will continue to provide asylum to Assange, according to the statement.
The Australian activist has been living in the embassy in London since 2012. He is avoiding a rape charge in Sweden that he claims is political and will lead to his extradition to the U.S. over previous leaks.
Assange's internet was disconnected on Saturday, according to WikiLeaks. The organization has continued to publish daily batches of emails from Podesta's account.
"This temporary restriction does not prevent the WikiLeaks organization from carrying out its journalistic activities," the Ecuadorian government said.
