Julian Assange - Wikileaks

Assange has been cleared of rape charges in Sweden [after how much? 7 years?] but is reportedly still afraid that he might extradited to the USA, where he could be convicted and even executed ... Words have it, that he considers to go to France.

Châtelaine wrote:Assange has been cleared of rape charges in Sweden [after how much? 7 years?] but is reportedly still afraid that he might extradited to the USA, where he could be convicted and even executed ... Words have it, that he considers to go to France.

Thanks Chatelaine, here it is...

Julian Assange: Sweden drops rape investigation

Sweden has decided to drop the rape investigation into Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Top prosecutor Marianne Ny said his arrest warrant was being revoked as it was impossible to serve him notice.

Mr Assange, 45, has lived in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since 2012. He fears extradition to Sweden would lead to extradition to the US where he is wanted over leaks.

Ecuador has called on the UK to allow him safe passage out of the country.

However, police in London said they would still be obliged to arrest him if he left.




The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said Mr Assange still faced the lesser charge of failing to surrender to a court, an offence punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine.

But the UK has not commented on whether it has received an extradition request from the US, where Mr Assange could face trial over the leaking of hundreds of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents.
◾Campaigner, or attention-seeker?
◾A trip in time: The Assange case

Mr Assange's Swedish lawyer, Per Samuelson, said the prosecutor's decision on Friday represented "a total victory" for his client.

But the Wikileaks founder responded angrily in a tweet: "Detained for 7 years without charge... while my children grew up and my name was slandered. I do not forgive or forget."

The plaintiff in the rape case was "shocked" by the decision, her lawyer said, and maintained her accusations against Mr Assange, Agence France-Presse reported.

The decision coincided with the release by Wikileaks of another tranche of documents about the CIA's technical capabilities.

Why has the case been dropped?

At a press briefing on Friday, Ms Ny said that by remaining in the embassy in London Mr Assange had evaded the exercise of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) that would have seen him extradited to Sweden.

She said that under Swedish law a criminal investigation needed to be conducted "as quickly as possible".

Sweden did not expect Ecuador's co-operation in formally notifying Mr Assange of the allegations against him, a necessary step in proceeding with the case, she added.

But she said: "If he were to return to Sweden before the statute of limitation on this case expires in August 2020, the preliminary investigation could be resumed."

She said it was "regrettable we have not been able to carry out the investigation", and added: "We are not making any pronouncement about guilt."

What does Ecuador say?

A source at the Ecuadorean foreign ministry told the Press Association that Ecuador had "fully co-operated with the Swedish justice system".

The source criticised the Swedish prosecutor for "unnecessary delays" in the case but welcomed the latest decision.

The source added: "Ecuador will now be intensifying its diplomatic efforts with the UK so that Julian Assange can gain safe passage in order to enjoy his asylum in Ecuador."

How did Mr Assange end up where he is?

The rape allegation followed a Wikileaks conference in Stockholm in 2010. Mr Assange always denied the allegations against him, saying sex was consensual.

He also said the case was politically motivated, as it followed massive Wikileaks dumps of secret US military reports that year.
Later that year he was arrested in London after Sweden issued an international arrest warrant against him.

Then, in June 2012, after exhausting legal avenues to prevent his extradition, Mr Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy, where he remains to this day.

What will happen to Mr Assange now?

After the news was announced on Friday, Wikileaks tweeted that the "focus now moves to the UK", but Mr Assange's fate still seems unclear.

The MPS issued a statement saying that its actions had been based on a response to a "European Arrest Warrant for an extremely serious offence".

It went on: "Now that the situation has changed and the Swedish authorities have discontinued their investigation into that matter, Mr Assange remains wanted for a much less serious offence. The MPS will provide a level of resourcing which is proportionate to that offence."

The MPS said it would "not comment further on the operational plan".

Last month, Mr Samuelson filed a new motion calling for his client's arrest warrant to be lifted.

He cited a comment by new US Attorney General Jeff Sessions that the arrest of Mr Assange would be "a priority".

Mr Samuelson told Agence France-Presse: "This implies that we can now demonstrate that the US has a will to take action... this is why we ask for the arrest warrant to be cancelled."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39973864

Thank you, Candyfloss :-)
I haven't read all of the news re this, so this is interesting additional information.

Just looking for an Assange thread, and notice post above from Chatelaine.... anyone heard from her at all. She hasn't visited in a long long while.

Julian Assange arrested

So Julian Assange has been arrested. Its hard to keep up with all tweeting re this today.... tweets are just flowing in in their hundreds every few minutes.

I really am confused as to why and the the story behind it. Anyone care to do a quick summary. Any thoughts on his arrest today? I notice many journalists saying it is a dark day for press freedom.

Just seen this....

From the Guardian..




Julian Assange: key dates in the WikiLeaks founder's case


Julian Assange has been arrested the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Here is a timeline of the key dates in the WikiLeaks founder’s case:

2010

31 August: Swedish police question Assange about two separate allegations – one of rape and one of molestation – which he denies.

18 November: An international arrest warrant is issued so Assange can be questioned on suspicion of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion.

7 December: Assange presents himself to police in London and is remanded in custody after a hearing.

__________________________________________________________________

More on this story:

Assange arrested by UK police at Ecuadorian embassy (Guardian)

How Ecuador finally got sick of their embassy resident (Daily Beast)

Blackmailers threaten release of 'sex secrets' (Daily Mail)

__________________________________________________________________

16 December: He is later granted conditional bail at the high court, bankrolled by his supporters who pay £240,000.

2011


Julian Assange wearing a suit and tie: Assange speaking from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in August 2012. Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA EPA Assange speaking from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in August 2012. Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA  
2 November: Assange loses an appeal to extradite him to Sweden; a judge denies it would violate his human rights.

2012

19 June: Assange enters the Ecuadorian embassy in London, requesting political asylum. Scotland Yard confirms he is subject to arrest for breaching his bail conditions.

16 August: He is granted political asylum by Ecuador.

19 August: Assange emerges on the Ecuadorian embassy’s balcony and calls for the US government to “renounce its witch hunt” against WikiLeaks.





2013

13 June: Assange tells journalists he will not leave the embassy even if sex charges against him are dropped, due to fears he will be extradited to the US.

2014

16 July: A judge in Stockholm upholds the arrest warrant against him for alleged sexual offences against two women. He later loses an appeal.

2015

13 March: Swedish prosecutors ask to question him at the embassy.


A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange outside the embassy after his arrest. Reuters A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange outside the embassy after his arrest.  
13 August: Investigations into some of the sex allegations are dropped due to time restrictions. The investigation into suspected rape remains active.

16 August: The UK Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire says Ecuador’s decision to harbour Assange in its embassy has prevented the proper course of justice. He restates the UK’s legal obligation to extradite him to Sweden.

12 October: The Metropolitan police end their three-year long, 24-hour guard outside the embassy. It is estimated to have cost more than £12m.

2016

5 February: The UN working group on arbitrary detention says Assange is being “arbitrarily detained”, and calls on authorities to end his “deprivation of liberty”. The following month, the UK government asks for a review, saying the opinion was “deeply flawed” – this is later rejected.


A 'free speech' placard in support of Julian Assange and and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. AP A 'free speech' placard in support of Julian Assange and and whistleblower Chelsea Manning.  
20 June: Ecuador reveals the Swedish authorities have officially requested to interview Assange.

9 August: Assange files an appeal to a Swedish court, arguing the country must comply with the UN working group’s findings.

14 November: Assange is questioned over the remaining sex allegation at the Ecuadorian embassy by Swedish authorities in a two-day interview.

2017

17 January: Barack Obama’s decision to free the whistleblower Chelsea Manning prompts speculation Assange will end his self-imposed exile.