Swedish prosecutor requests Assange's detention over rape allegation

[webfact]

Swedish prosecutor requests Assange's detention over rape allegation

By Helena Soderpalm

 

FILE PHOTO: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen as he leaves a police station in London, Britain April 11, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo

 

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The Swedish prosecutor heading an investigation into a rape allegation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange filed a request with a local court on Monday for him to be detained in absentia.

 

If granted, the court order would be the first step in a process to have Assange extradited from Britain, where he is serving a 50-week sentence for skipping bail.

 

Sweden reopened the rape investigation last week. It was begun in 2010 but dropped in 2017 afterAssange took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London.

 

Assange, who denies the accusation, was arrested in London last month after spending seven years inside the embassy.

 

"I request the District Court to detain Assange in his absence, on probable cause suspected for rape," Deputy Chief Prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson said in a statement on Monday.

 

She said she would issue a European arrest warrant for Assange to be surrendered to Sweden if the court decided to detain him.

 

Sweden's decision to reopen the rape investigation casts doubt on where Assange may eventually end up, with U.S. authorities already seeking his extradition over conspiracy charges relating to one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information.

 

A lawyer representing Assange in Sweden said he would tell the District Court it could not investigate the prosecutor's request until he had conferred with his client and learned whether or not he wished to oppose a detention order.

 

"Since he is in prison in England, it has so far not been possible even to speak to him by telephone," Per Samuelson told Reuters.

 

Assange, an Australian national, took refuge in the embassy after fighting unsuccessfully through the British courts to avoid extradition to Sweden.

 

The British courts will have to rule on the Swedish and U.S. extradition requests, with interior minister Sajid Javid having the final say on which one takes precedence.

 

"The outcome of this process is impossible to predict," Persson said. Citing information from UK authorities, she said Assange would serve 25 weeks of his UK sentence before he could be released.

 

A British judge has given the U.S. government a deadline of June 12 to outline its case againstAssange.

 

(Reporting by Helena Soderpalm and Esha Vaish; editing by John Stonestreet and Niklas Pollard)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-21

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[ezzra]

This Assange guy by now must be thinking to himself and examining his actions that put him in a lot of troubles of the past 7 years, what was he thinking to make public US classified information and secrets and get away with that? if yes, he's not very smart man, now he's forced to eat the putrid porridge he cooked for himself and all for what? abit of notoriety and a lifetime of running away from the law...

[colinneil]

I hope that Sweden can succeed in getting him back to face up to what he did.

Thought he was being clever running away from justice hiding in the Ecuadorian embassy for 7 years.

He should have faced justice 7 years ago, it would have been all over now.

[helpisgood]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

This Assange guy by now must be thinking to himself and examining his actions that put him in a lot of troubles of the past 7 years, what was he thinking to make public US classified information and secrets and get away with that? if yes, he's not very smart man, now he's forced to eat the putrid porridge he cooked for himself and all for what? abit of notoriety and a lifetime of running away from the law...

 

As I understand it, it is not the mere publicizing of the US classified info that got Assange in trouble with US prosecutors.  If a journalist publishes info that they merely receive, to use an American expression,  "over the transom," which means info received without any prior agreement or conspiracy from such a journalist, then the journalist can publish it.  For example, recall the Pentagon Papers.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagon_Papers

 

However, in Assange's case, the American prosecutors are alleging things like conspiracy (with Manning, I am assuming) to unlawfully obtain such info.  Now it becomes a crime that can be charged against such a journalist.  Yes, there's some question as to whether Assange is really a journalist, but I think that's intertwined to some degree with the conspiracy charge.

 

Here's another explanation by the NY Times, who were involved with the Pentagon Papers:

 

"Mr. Assange faces a charge of conspiracy to hack into a Pentagon computer network; a federal indictment accuses him of helping an Army private to illegally download classified information in 2010, much of it about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which WikiLeaks then made public."  [Bold added.]

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/world/europe/julian-assange-sentence-uk.html

 

By the way, conspiracy may be harder to prove in court than merely showing that the info was published by Assange.

 

Nevertheless, I do sympathize with your point regarding what Assange must have been thinking when choosing to get involved.  He's not the NY Times, etc.  I am not sure how his Wikileaks will be defined.  Maybe a new high-tech legal question? 

 

Edited May 21, 2019 by helpisgood
typo, added ending

[OneMoreFarang]

We should be thankful to him that he exposed the USA. Their action need a lot of exposure!

 

And about the Swedish "rape". Why did she have consensual sex with him before and after she thinks he raped her. What is called rape over there is maybe called a misunderstanding in most of the word.

[Brigand]

Assange is going to be right royally screwed over and made an example of by the system and authorities as they can't have people exposing anything that even slightly resembles fact/truth.

 

Can just see this guy giving the orders on this one ....

 

[Basil B]

It was the original Swedish extradition Warrants for sexual assault that caused the ******* to hide in the Ecuadorian Embassy, there were no extradition charges from the USA at the time.

 

I hope the the Home Office/courts see fit to give priority to the Swedish extradition requests.  

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

We should be thankful to him that he exposed the USA. Their action need a lot of exposure!

 

And about the Swedish "rape". Why did she have consensual sex with him before and after she thinks he raped her. What is called rape over there is maybe called a misunderstanding in most of the word.

Not in my world. 

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

We should be thankful to him that he exposed the USA. Their action need a lot of exposure!

 

And about the Swedish "rape". Why did she have consensual sex with him before and after she thinks he raped her. What is called rape over there is maybe called a misunderstanding in most of the word.

Then why is Assange afraid to be tried for rape?

It's just a misunderstanding.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

"Since he is in prison in England, it has so far not been possible even to speak to him by telephone,"

Giving a reason might be useful.

Did they try a video call?

I hear there's this app called Skype.

[Topdoc]

Why has there never been a documentary in the UK like the brilliant “Sex, Lies and Julian Assange” from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s flagship Four Corners programme? Please do watch if you have not already done so:

https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/sex-lies-and-julian-assange/4156420 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

We should be thankful to him that he exposed the USA. Their action need a lot of exposure!

 

And about the Swedish "rape". Why did she have consensual sex with him before and after she thinks he raped her. What is called rape over there is maybe called a misunderstanding in most of the word.

If you came on here bleating about being arrested for breaking a law in Thailand for doing something that was not against the law elsewhere you would be roundly condemned and told in Thailand you obey Thai law.

 

Assange was in Sweden under Swedish law.

[Chomper Higgot]

Seven of the best years of his life wasted in a futile attempt to evade justice.

 

And they don’t count as ‘time served’.

 

He’s clearly not as bright a he thinks he is.

[dick dasterdly]

1 hour ago, Topdoc said:

Why has there never been a documentary in the UK like the brilliant “Sex, Lies and Julian Assange” from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s flagship Four Corners programme? Please do watch if you have not already done so:

https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/sex-lies-and-julian-assange/4156420 

Admittedly, I only watched the first 17 minutes (I'll watch the rest later), but this is a very good question.

 

Meanwhile, I'm still shocked that so many hate whistle blowers!

[dick dasterdly]

47 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

If you came on here bleating about being arrested for breaking a law in Thailand for doing something that was not against the law elsewhere you would be roundly condemned and told in Thailand you obey Thai law.

 

Assange was in Sweden under Swedish law.

You seriously believe that this has nothing to do with politics, and governments determined that revealing the awful truth must be stopped? ????

[dick dasterdly]

51 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

If you came on here bleating about being arrested for breaking a law in Thailand for doing something that was not against the law elsewhere you would be roundly condemned and told in Thailand you obey Thai law.

 

Assange was in Sweden under Swedish law.

Fair enough, but when was the last time the Swedes (and come to that the uk authorities....) pursued something (that certainly wouldn't be considered rape in the uk)  to this extent????

[dick dasterdly]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Then why is Assange afraid to be tried for rape?

It's just a misunderstanding.

Please read up on this.

 

The Swedish 'rape' charges would never be considered rape in the uk.

[shambo]

 To have sex in Sweden is still ok without writings before says the Swedish law!

 

Assage was never charged!

 

This documentary summed it up pretty well and all is about how US behaved in Iraq and their reason to attack a country having lots of oil and didn't allow US presence in their country.

 

It is interesting how people goes on posting everywhere like US believe they can do anything and get away with their crimes. This case is very shameful for Sweden who did what US told them to do.  After having sex with him, arranging parties, presenting him at work they found out he did not want relationship.

 

This ladies went to police trying to force him to go to a STD test. The police said we can't force him just go yourself to a hospital. No rape whatsoever from the ladies!

 

Police, prosecutor leaked to media and he stayed another 6 weeks in Sweden, then reported to a police station every day for a year in England and the Swedish feminist prosecutor never heard him. 

 

Swedish government stole his 3 laptops!  The ladies never wanted to charge him it was others, the feminist government, who took over the case after changing prosecutor 4 times. Big political scandal in Sweden where US rules as always and MSM decide what to write.

 

Now Ecuador changed government  so he was thrown out and they took all his IT soft and hard ware. What a challenge for Netflix if they dare to make a movie!

 

Better to act on the high side with a bow

then live and die low!

Edited May 21, 2019 by shambo
spelling

[the guest]

Swedish meatballs and Abba chanting in the background awaits you !

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, dick dasterdly said:

Admittedly, I only watched the first 17 minutes (I'll watch the rest later), but this is a very good question.

U

Meanwhile, I'm still shocked that so many hate whistle blowers!

Don’t conflate a dislike of Assange with a dislike of whistle blowers.

 

Edward Snowden is a whistle blower deserving of protection from

prosecution.

 

Assange is a toxic narcissist who has chosen to become an agent of the Russian intelligence services.

 

I despise Assange while having a great deal of respect for Snowden.

 

Oh and Tammy McFadden, another good egg.

[Guest Jerry787]

all story to obey their  boss master USA...

 

UK on brink of democracy breach (entering an foreign embassy) as well with soon the mickey mouse 50 weeks going off, its unable to hand over Assange a freedom journalist to US otherwise will have UK under the spot and huge legal claims against who will authorize it, so the swed puppet under us master are try to reiterate an accuse that doesn't stand, the victim (if any all all) claimed they have consensual sex and after a day decide that she may not have liked it and sue for rape ?

Assange stand for democracy, democracy to have exposed the horrors of US lead Iraq war.

#FREEASSANGE

[Baerboxer]

6 hours ago, colinneil said:

I hope that Sweden can succeed in getting him back to face up to what he did.

Thought he was being clever running away from justice hiding in the Ecuadorian embassy for 7 years.

He should have faced justice 7 years ago, it would have been all over now.

 

IIRC he had sex with a Swedish lady, who sometime later said she changed her mind and although it was consensual she now wished she'd said no. And that seemingly constitutes rape - she changed her mind sometime afterwards!

 

The first prosecutor didn't want to proceed with the case, and was replaced by a known aggressive feminist prosecutor.

 

Yep he should face justice. But not this seemingly Mickey Mouse attempt to fit him up.

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

If you came on here bleating about being arrested for breaking a law in Thailand for doing something that was not against the law elsewhere you would be roundly condemned and told in Thailand you obey Thai law.

 

Assange was in Sweden under Swedish law.

 

This case is clearly politically motivated.

 

Read the case, the circumstances and the changes of prosecutors. 

 

In a nutshell, he had consensual sex, didn't want a long term relationship, the lady went to the police to sif they could make him have a STD check and suddenly it's a rape???

 

The amount of time spent by governments pressuring their legal systems on this is unusual and suggests political motivation rather than any interest in justice for an alleged "rape" victim with a very unusual interpretation of rape.

[fxe1200]

However wants to refresh his/her memory about what really happened may go to this useful link.  

https://justice4assange.com/note-to-editors-sweden.html?fbclid=IwAR0VCe0mJDHvjNYg53ic3BmpDQLs8awGP_MTfQ4f9hYAf1Z-UL4FNXNDbh8

[cleopatra2]

2 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

Please read up on this.

 

The Swedish 'rape' charges would never be considered rape in the uk.

This is pure nonsense.

The UK courts determined that the charges would constitute Rape in the UK.

If the charges did not constitute a crime in the UK they could not extradite

[cleopatra2]

20 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

This case is clearly politically motivated.

 

Read the case, the circumstances and the changes of prosecutors. 

 

In a nutshell, he had consensual sex, didn't want a long term relationship, the lady went to the police to sif they could make him have a STD check and suddenly it's a rape???

 

The amount of time spent by governments pressuring their legal systems on this is unusual and suggests political motivation rather than any interest in justice for an alleged "rape" victim with a very unusual interpretation of rape.

This is incorrect.

The allegations are that he used force to have sexual intercourse. See the EAW and the Belmarsh court proceedings.

[shaemus]

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Giving a reason might be useful.

Did they try a video call?

I hear there's this app called Skype.

he is in a High security prison. most prisoners dont have smart phones!

[shambo]

Yeah, "he is in a High security prison. most prisoners dont have smart phones!"

Normal for people who skipped bail, High security prison?

 

He was never charged by any!

 

It is all about painting him black like the picture on TV today.

- Look at Assange and not what US are doing... and the small people swallow the hook.

 

Both ladies loved to have sex with him until some authority showed up after weeks and said it was a rape because maybe they drifted into sleep .... maybe!

 

-Yes, the condo broke said Anna weeks after the party (and that is true, it did)!

-You must prove that he did it on purpose, said her layer!

-It is still with me, said Anna

-Good send it in to forensic for testing of his DNA, said layer.

There was no DNA but cut with a sharp item, haha.                

 

Poor, poor Sweden today!

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Jerry787 said:

all story to obey their  boss master USA...

 

UK on brink of democracy breach (entering an foreign embassy) as well with soon the mickey mouse 50 weeks going off, its unable to hand over Assange a freedom journalist to US otherwise will have UK under the spot and huge legal claims against who will authorize it, so the swed puppet under us master are try to reiterate an accuse that doesn't stand, the victim (if any all all) claimed they have consensual sex and after a day decide that she may not have liked it and sue for rape ?

Assange stand for democracy, democracy to have exposed the horrors of US lead Iraq war.

#FREEASSANGE

‘Assange stand for democracy’

 

Yeh right, by assisting Russia’s attack on the US election.

[Chomper Higgot]

10 minutes ago, shambo said:

Yeah, "he is in a High security prison. most prisoners dont have smart phones!"

Normal for people who skipped bail, High security prison?

 

He was never charged by any!

 

It is all about painting him black like the picture on TV today.

- Look at Assange and not what US are doing... and the small people swallow the hook.

 

Both ladies loved to have sex with him until some authority showed up after weeks and said it was a rape because maybe they drifted into sleep .... maybe!

 

-Yes, the condo broke said Anna weeks after the party (and that is true, it did)!

-You must prove that he did it on purpose, said her layer!

-It is still with me, said Anna

-Good send it in to forensic for testing of his DNA, said layer.

There was no DNA but cut with a sharp item, haha.                

 

Poor, poor Sweden today!

More conspiracy hogwash.