“Julian Assange’s appearances on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy are rare but they all have a rather similar theatrical feel about them.

“The huge throng of cameramen, journalists and supporters are kept waiting for hours, often in the English rain, before the man himself emerges from the shadows to deliver a public pronouncement.

“Questions from journalists are ignored.

“He speaks slowly, yet clearly, into the large number of microphones pointed up at him from all directions.

“Then when he’s finished, Mr Assange usually offers a wave to cheering supporters or a clenched fist as a sign of defiance, before turning and disappearing once more.

“During his spiel overnight, he declared the decision by Swedish prosecutors to Drop their rape investigation represents a “victory” for him.”

Read more at ABC