( CNN ) -- Ecuador is calling for British authorities to help investigate after officials found a secret recording device planted inside the South American country 's embassy in London . A `` spy microphone '' was found inside the Ecuadorian ambassador 's office on June 14 , Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino told reporters Wednesday . It was hidden inside a small white box inside an electrical outlet , partially covered by a bookshelf , he said . The discovery , Patino said , `` very seriously concerns us . '' `` We are requesting backing from the British government to continue with the investigation of the device found , '' he said . The device , he said , contained a SIM card and was designed to transmit private conversations occurring inside the embassy . Ecuadorian authorities believe it had been in place for weeks . It was found two days before Patino was scheduled to arrive at the embassy , he said . Patino said authorities have `` founded suspicions '' that indicate a private British surveillance company was involved , but he did not provide additional details . The company did not immediately respond to a request from CNN to comment . In addition to serving as an office for Ecuadorian officials abroad , the embassy has also been home for more than a year to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange , who received asylum from Ecuador in August and risks arrest if he leaves the property . The revelation comes amid worldwide debate over U.S. surveillance , including reports that the National Security Agency planted bugs in diplomatic offices . It also comes as Ecuador plays a key role in the global guessing game over the next steps for Edward Snowden , the former NSA contractor who is on the run after admitting that he leaked classified documents about U.S. surveillance programs . Snowden has asked for asylum from Ecuador and 20 other countries . Patino said on Wednesday that his country was still evaluating the request . Asked whether Assange 's presence inside the Ecuadorian Embassy had opened the building to more risks , Patino acknowledged that the WikiLeaks founder 's presence had brought greater attention to the embassy . `` Surely , there are risks , yes ... but we are willing to run them when it comes to defending rights , '' he said . CNN 's Claudia Rebaza contributed to this report .
Ecuador says a hidden recording device was found inside its London embassy . The `` spy microphone '' was placed in an electrical outlet , the foreign minister says . He calls for British authorities to assist in Ecuador 's investigation .