WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has accused right-wing US politicians of imposing a ‘death penalty’ on the whistleblowing website after supporters were banned from donating funds via credit card.

Speaking via Skype from the Ecuadorean embassy in London, where he has being staying since June to avoid extradition to Sweden to face sexual assault charges, Assange said that a block imposed by six US payment firms has cost the site $50 million (Rs 275 crore).