Crusading former Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon has agreed to represent WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange free of charge, saying he is neither a pirate nor a terrorist, Belfast Telegraph said.

Mr Garzon says Mr Assange's case affects human rights, democracy and free expression.

He spoke to reporters in Ecuador, along with with Mr Assange's mother, Christine.

Mr Assange took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy on June 19, seeking political asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning for alleged sexual misconduct.

Mr Garzon says the extradition would be tantamount to sending him to the United States, where supporters fear a grand jury has secretly indicted him for spilling US secrets.

Ecuador says it will announce its decision on Mr Assange's request after the London Olympics end.