JOIN US Sweden’s top prosecutor on Friday dropped an investigation into a rape claim against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after almost seven years, saying that’s because there is no possibility of arresting him “in the foreseeable future.”
The announcement means the outspoken WikiLeaks leader no longer faces sex crime allegations in Sweden, although the British police say he is still wanted for jumping bail in Britain in 2012.
It does not clear Assange’s name. Assange (45), took refuge in Ecuador’s embassy in London in 2012 to escape extradition to Sweden to answer questions about sex crime allegations from two women.
Per E Samuelson, Assange’s lawyer in Sweden, told AP that it was a “day of victory” for the WikiLeaks founder. He said Assange had convinced Swedish prosecutors during a November meeting last year that he was not guilty of any sex offences.
‘Important victory’
Assange hailed Sweden’s decision as an “important victory” even as he attacked the country’s authorities for detaining him for seven years without charge.
“Today is an important victory for me and for the UN’s human rights system but it by no means erases the years of detention without charge in prison, under house arrest ,” he told reporters.