He said this in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“He is in poor condition. After so many years of persecution, his health was badly damaged. We hope that he can recover if circumstances change quickly, ”Shipton said.

He also noted that, although Assange is being given medical assistance in a British prison, lawyers insist on consultations of those doctors who will be chosen by the prisoner himself.

Shipton had previously expressed concern that his son might die in prison after "nine years of persecution for daring to solve US war crimes."

As noted by the Daily Mail, Assange was also visited by UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Meltzer in prison, who stated that conditions of detention threatened his life.

Meltzer also expressed concern about the deterioration of Assange's health.