Swedish prosecutors reopen rape case against Julian Assange

Swedish prosecutors on Monday reopened an investigation into a rape allegation made against Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange in 2010.

According to BBC, Sweden’s deputy director of public prosecutions, Eva-Marie Persson, revealed that the case would be reopened because there were still plausible reasons to suspect that Assange had committed the crime.

Assange, who maintains his innocence avoided arrest from Sweden for seven years and sought refuge at the Ecuadorean embassy in London in 2012.

Read also: Cyclone Fani: Millions enraged as death toll increases to 77 in India

He was also sentenced to almost a year in jail for breaching his bail conditions and is currently being held at Belmarsh prison in London.

However, Wikileaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said in a statement that the reopening of the rape case would give Assange a chance to exonerate himself.

“There has been considerable political pressure on Sweden to reopen their investigation, but there has always been political pressure surrounding this case,” he added.

Assange also faces a conspiracy charge over his involvement in one of the largest leaks of government secrets, along with computer intrusion of the US government which could land him a prison term of five years or more.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now