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riderinthestorm

(23,272 posts)
26. Actually, they virtually dropped the charges. They were resurrected only after Wikileaks
Thu Aug 16, 2012, 11:38 AM
Aug 2012

exposed the Iraqi war crimes by the US. Mark Stephens, Assange’s lead lawyer in London, has repeatedly said, without providing details, that ‘a senior political figure’ worked to have the case reopened.

Assange stipulates that political interference in the case is confirmed by the decision of the Swedish prosecutors to drop the initial arrest warrant and to downgrade the investigation to one of ‘molestation’, a minor offense. Those decisions were reversed in late August when the chief state prosecutor, Marianne Ny, overruling a subordinate prosecutor in Stockholm, Eva Finne, restored the original allegations, saying that rape was the appropriate charge for the evidence on file with the prosecutors.

Furthermore, I've heard that at least one of the women has recanted.

Sweden's actions have certainly been highly suspicious and reek of a vendetta by the US. Their refusal to agree that they won't extradite Assange to the US if he returned to Sweden for questioning underscores (for me at least) that this isn't really about what happened in Sweden but is really about Wikileaks and the US.

My such a hissy fit. bemildred Aug 2012 #1
Well everyone knew that would happen. Which is why Correa will most likely drag this out sabrina 1 Aug 2012 #2
so sweden has officially charged him with a crime? xchrom Aug 2012 #3
Have you read the findings of fact from the Belmarsh court? msanthrope Aug 2012 #5
What a crock. Your suppositions on what 'most' xchrom Aug 2012 #7
The court findings are not available on Wikileaks. So I presume most msanthrope Aug 2012 #12
Why would England risk an Act of War? Savannahmann Aug 2012 #4
Because when you get right down to it, they're doing the US gov't bidding. Fuddnik Aug 2012 #9
Ding, ding, ding! hifiguy Aug 2012 #16
a better question to ask sweetapogee Aug 2012 #18
It firmly establishes their position within the growing, powerful Latin American block riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #20
I don't see a downside. Fuddnik Aug 2012 #21
Agreed. Ecuador only stands to gain internationally, the UK's stunning move is the biggest question riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #22
London property values are likely to crater, as a result. closeupready Aug 2012 #41
From what I've been told of Swedish law ikri Aug 2012 #44
I've held out this tiny bit of hope that weeks ago, while Ecuador was thinking things over magical thyme Aug 2012 #6
UK police arrest 3 in front of Ecuadorean Embassy dipsydoodle Aug 2012 #8
Ecuador to Let Assange Stay in Its Embassy steve2470 Aug 2012 #10
The UK: The tory Peke that Squeaks. byeya Aug 2012 #11
Live blog of Ecuador statement over Assange asylum: tama Aug 2012 #13
Asylum is granted tama Aug 2012 #14
good. nt xchrom Aug 2012 #15
If G.B. goes so far as to revoke the embassy's status... ljm2002 Aug 2012 #17
I hope Correa orders the Ecuadorean military to raze the British embassy in Quito and coalition_unwilling Aug 2012 #25
all this because he didn't use a condom Enrique Aug 2012 #19
Not quite...here's the actual charges..... msanthrope Aug 2012 #23
Actually, they virtually dropped the charges. They were resurrected only after Wikileaks riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #26
Yes. A senior prosecutor can override the charging decisions of msanthrope Aug 2012 #28
How can he prove political motivation? LiberalLovinLug Aug 2012 #30
Kindly tell me what is consensual or minor or 'low impact' about the acts alleged: msanthrope Aug 2012 #31
Whatever the truth is about these allegations, they don't rise to the level of this kind of reaction riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #38
What kind of reaction should 'rape' properly engender? nt msanthrope Aug 2012 #39
THIS allegation with THIS particular man and Sweden's behavior on these alleged charges riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #42
Ah, "thin and low-impact" rape. Nye Bevan Aug 2012 #43
How in the world is anyone going to prove that they had sex without a condom or, JDPriestly Aug 2012 #45
the political aspect is hard to overlook Enrique Aug 2012 #29
I suspect what caused the UK to react in such a manner is British exceptionalism. msanthrope Aug 2012 #32
Really?? You think the Brits are creating this international incident because of "exceptionalism"? riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #35
Yes. Exceptionalism. nt msanthrope Aug 2012 #36
. riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #37
All this because he refuses to take a DNA test and skipped bail. randome Aug 2012 #24
has it entered your head that perhaps those who are backing Assange do so because Swagman Aug 2012 #33
Fine. An STD test. Geeze, we've already been through this. randome Aug 2012 #34
They want his DNA so that he can be pursued around the world JDPriestly Aug 2012 #46
those in power despise anyone who breaches the wall of state secrecy... mike_c Aug 2012 #27
If the UK makes good on this, it will sink London's property values. closeupready Aug 2012 #40
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