Julien Assange in police custody last week following his removal from the Ecuadorian embassy.
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A Swedish investigation into rape allegations against Julian Assange have been reopened.
Swedish authorities said they had been unable to proceed with the investigation while Assange remained in the Ecuadorian embassy.
The investigation was re-instigated at the request of one of the alleged victim’s lawyers.
Prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson said a decision on filing charges has not been made yet:
“I would like to make the following very clear: my decision to re-open the preliminary investigation is not equivalent on whether or not to file an indictment with the courts. This is the matter we’ll have to revisit.”
Assange has avoided extradition to Sweden for seven years by seeking refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012.
But following his removal from the embassy last month, authorities believed there were new grounds to open the investigation.
He now faces a 50 week prison sentence in the UK for breaching his bail conditions.
The United States are expected to submit an extradition request next month for suspicions of his involvement in a huge classified data breach – punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
This means there are competing extradition requests from the US and Sweden. British authorities will determine which request takes precedence.
Julian Assange was accused of rape and other sexual offences against two women. He has denied the allegations and said the sex was consensual.
After his arrest last month he was taken to Westminster Magistrates’ Court and found guilty of breaching bail. He is now being held in Belmarsh prison in London.
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HeadlineSweden reopen Assange rape investigation
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StandfirstThe investigation had been on hold while Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy.
A Swedish investigation into rape allegations against Julian Assange have been reopened.
Swedish authorities said they had been unable to proceed with the investigation while Assange remained in the Ecuadorian embassy.
The investigation was re-instigated at the request of one of the alleged victim’s lawyers.
Prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson said a decision on filing charges has not been made yet:
“I would like to make the following very clear: my decision to re-open the preliminary investigation is not equivalent on whether or not to file an indictment with the courts. This is the matter we’ll have to revisit.”
Assange has avoided extradition to Sweden for seven years by seeking refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012.
But following his removal from the embassy last month, authorities believed there were new grounds to open the investigation.
He now faces a 50 week prison sentence in the UK for breaching his bail conditions.
The United States are expected to submit an extradition request next month for suspicions of his involvement in a huge classified data breach – punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
This means there are competing extradition requests from the US and Sweden. British authorities will determine which request takes precedence.
Julian Assange was accused of rape and other sexual offences against two women. He has denied the allegations and said the sex was consensual.
After his arrest last month he was taken to Westminster Magistrates’ Court and found guilty of breaching bail. He is now being held in Belmarsh prison in London.
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