LONDON (REUTERS) - Mr Julian Assange, the founder of anti-secrecy organisation WikiLeaks, said on Monday that former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden was safe and healthy after fleeing to Moscow on his globe-crossing escape from US prosecution.

"The current status of Mr Snowden and Harrison is that both are healthy and safe and they are in contact with their legal teams," Mr Assange said, referring to Ms Sarah Harrison, a WikiLeaks representative accompanying Mr Snowden.

"Edward Snowden left Hong Kong on June 23 bound for Ecuador via a safe pass through Russia and other states," Mr Assange told reporters on a conference call from inside Ecuador's embassy in London, where he has been himself hiding from arrest and extradition.