Assange FAQ

Has Julian Assange been charged with a crime?
Did Julian Assange flee Sweden to avoid allegations of sexual misconduct?
Is Julian Assange avoiding being questioned by the Swedish prosecution?
Why won’t the Swedish prosecutor question Julian Assange in London?
Why is Julian Assange trying to dictate the way Sweden conducts its investigation?
What is unusual about the Swedish investigation against Julian Assange?
Why doesn’t Julian Assange just go to Sweden and answer the allegations?
Is there any justification for Julian Assange’s fears of U.S. prosecution?
Why did Ecuador grant Julian Assange political asylum?
Is Ecuador preventing the Swedish investigation from continuing?

Has Julian Assange been charged with a crime?

Julian Assange has not been charged with any crime in any country. In regards to the Swedish investigation, the UK Supreme Court stated the following: “charges have not yet been brought against Mr Assange”.

Allegations is the appropriate term to use. There is no certainty that he will be charged or face trial if questioned.

Did Julian Assange flee Sweden to avoid allegations of sexual misconduct?

No. Julian Assange remained in Sweden for five weeks and was granted permission to leave by the prosecutor. He was also questioned once while in Sweden.

Is Julian Assange avoiding being questioned by the Swedish prosecution?

Since 2010, Julian Assange has offered to be questioned by the Swedish prosecution in London. During his December 2012 address outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, he once again reiterated his availability to be questioned.

Why won’t the Swedish prosecutor question Julian Assange in London?

Karin Rosander, Director of Communications for the Swedish Prosecution Authority, stated that the Swedish prosecutor will not question Julian Assange in London “according to circumstances” which “she does not wish to specify”.

Previously, the prosecutor falsely stated that it was illegal to question Mr Assange in London.

Why is Julian Assange trying to dictate the way Sweden conducts its investigation?

By asking to be questioned in London, Julian Assange is merely requesting a very standard legal procedure called “Mutual Legal Assistance”. The European Union’s webpage on MLA describes the procedure as being “essential for the EU, in order to achieve a European area of justice”.

Sweden recently questioned a murder suspect in Serbia, yet continue to refuse to question Mr Assange in London.

What is unusual about the Swedish investigation against Julian Assange?

There are many unusual aspects of the investigation, including the refusal to question Julian Assange in London, the way in which previous interviews were conducted, the closing and reopening of the case, and the leaking of the police reports to the press.

A good summary of these peculiarities is available in a video infographic created by InfobytesTV.

Why doesn’t Julian Assange just go to Sweden and answer the allegations?

Julian Assange fears that he will be extradited to the U.S. if sent to Sweden. He has sought assurances from the Swedish, UK, and Australian Governments against his onward extradition to the U.S., but has not received them. Amnesty International issued a statement saying that Sweden should give such assurances to Mr Assange.

Further concern surrounds the Swedish detention facility, where Mr Assange would be held incommunicado upon arrival. Similar treatment can be seen in the case of Gottfrid Svartholm, founder of The Pirate Bay, who was held in solitary confinement for months without being officially charged.

Is there any justification for Julian Assange’s fears of U.S. prosecution?

Yes, as there is an ongoing U.S. investigation into WikiLeaks, confirmed by U.S. officials. In 2010, many high-level U.S. politicians called for the prosecution, and even assassination, of Julian Assange. As recent as July 2012, U.S. officials have been calling for his prosecution under the Espionage Act.

Why did Ecuador grant Julian Assange political asylum?

Ecuador granted Julian Assange political asylum due to a risk of persecution by the U.S. Government. The official statement from the Government of Ecuador states, “[T]here are indications that allow to assume that there may be a political persecution, or that such persecution may be produced if the opportune and necessary measures are not taken to avoid it”.

Is Ecuador preventing the Swedish investigation from continuing?

No. Ecuador has offered multiple avenues for the investigation to continue, including formally offering Sweden the opportunity to question Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, which Sweden denied.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has stated that they do not wish to hinder the Swedish investigation, only ensure Mr Assange is protected from U.S. extradition.