WikiLeaks founder to be quizzed in Sweden
Source: Agencies |
August 26, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A SWEDISH prosecutor said yesterday she will continue investigating an accusation of molestation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange but formally dismissed another case that was initially labeled a suspected rape.
Assange has denied both allegations.
After reviewing information from an interrogation with the woman who filed the rape complaint, chief prosecutor Eva Finne said she decided there were no grounds to suspect Assange of any type of crime in that case.
In the other case, which involved a different woman, Finne said the "suspicion of molestation remains" and that Assange would be questioned in that investigation.
Molestation covers a wide range of offenses under Swedish law, including inappropriate physical contact with another adult, and can result in fines or up to one year in prison.
On Saturday, Finne withdrew an arrest warrant for Assange issued by another prosecutor and said he was no longer suspected of rape. However, she continued investigating the case to see whether there were grounds to suspect the Australian of lesser crimes, including molestation or sexual molestation.
"But I find in my analysis that this is not the case," Finne said yesterday.
Assange was in Sweden last week seeking legal protection for WikiLeaks, which angered the Obama administration by publishing thousands of leaked documents about United States military activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The whistle-blower site is preparing to release a fresh batch of classified US documents from the Afghan war, despite warnings from the Pentagon that they could endanger American soldiers and their Afghan helpers.
Assange has denied both allegations.
After reviewing information from an interrogation with the woman who filed the rape complaint, chief prosecutor Eva Finne said she decided there were no grounds to suspect Assange of any type of crime in that case.
In the other case, which involved a different woman, Finne said the "suspicion of molestation remains" and that Assange would be questioned in that investigation.
Molestation covers a wide range of offenses under Swedish law, including inappropriate physical contact with another adult, and can result in fines or up to one year in prison.
On Saturday, Finne withdrew an arrest warrant for Assange issued by another prosecutor and said he was no longer suspected of rape. However, she continued investigating the case to see whether there were grounds to suspect the Australian of lesser crimes, including molestation or sexual molestation.
"But I find in my analysis that this is not the case," Finne said yesterday.
Assange was in Sweden last week seeking legal protection for WikiLeaks, which angered the Obama administration by publishing thousands of leaked documents about United States military activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The whistle-blower site is preparing to release a fresh batch of classified US documents from the Afghan war, despite warnings from the Pentagon that they could endanger American soldiers and their Afghan helpers.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
