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Julian Assange extradition hearing: woman's text messages 'showed she wanted revenge'

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Joanne98 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 01:51 PM
Original message
Julian Assange extradition hearing: woman's text messages 'showed she wanted revenge'
Source: Telegraph

A woman who accused Julian Assange of raping her sent text messages speaking of getting revenge on the WikiLeaks founder and making money by “giving him a bad name”, a court has been told.

Mr Assange’s Swedish lawyer, Bjorn Hurtig, said he had seen dozens of texts sent by Miss W which “go against” her allegation last August that she was raped while she was asleep and suggest she has a “hidden agenda”.

The existence of the texts was disclosed as Mr Hurtig gave evidence on the second day of an extradition hearing to decide whether Mr Assange should be sent back to Sweden, where a prosecutor wants to indict him for rape and sexual assault.

Mr Assange is fighting the attempt to extradite him, and denies any wrongdoing, saying the allegations made by Miss W and a second woman, Miss A, involved consensual sex.



Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8311589/Julian-Assange-extradition-hearing-womans-text-messages-showed-she-wanted-revenge.html




Sounds like someone she knows is helping him.
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BridgeTheGap Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 01:54 PM
Response to Original message
1. Or her phone was hacked. n/t
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:27 PM
Response to Reply #1
16. And then the hacker went into her twitter account and erased
the messages? These messages were found because they were linked to another site and she only erased them from 1.
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bemildred Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:09 PM
Response to Original message
2. Weren't Ms W and Ms A supposed to testify? nt
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elias49 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:15 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. Wondering the same. Did they even show up? Call Interpol! nt nt
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 04:42 PM
Response to Reply #2
24. Why would they?
This isn't the trial so why would they be called?

This is just Assange desperately trying to find a loophole, any loophole, to avoid having to go to Sweden and answer a few questions. Since the issue of guilt or innocence is irrelevant at this point and the papers are in order, this time, there really isn't much Assange can do except trying to sell a vast conspiracy theory to the judge.

Depending on the outcome of those questions he might well end up in court - or not...
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bemildred Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 06:28 PM
Response to Reply #24
28. I read something to that effect some days ago. I have no idea why they would.
Considering the mountains of bullshit that surround this case, it would not shock me if that was invented. But that's why I asked, to find out whether something happened or it was just bullshit.
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 06:30 PM
Response to Reply #24
29. LOL! Not much of a conspiracy if those tweets were out there in public
which they were, and some of them still are.

And there is no reason for Assange to go to Sweden. The Swedish prosecutor refused to move the case while he was there and refused to make other arrangements when he left with permission.

It's not up to him to be at the beck and call of a politicized and intransigent prosecutor.
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 07:37 PM
Response to Reply #24
36. Deleted message
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 07:48 PM
Response to Reply #36
37. Deleted message
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 09:05 PM
Response to Reply #36
38. Deleted message
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kjfaier Donating Member (2 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 11:16 PM
Response to Reply #24
39. wikileaks
the truth shall set you free, assange is a hero, & so is Manning. everyone is so afraid of the truth, but never understood that is what a civilized free society is, allow the truth to be heard, the bad guys will never tell you they are bad.
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The Doctor. Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #24
49. You have that exactly backwards.
This is Sweden 'desperately trying' to find an excuse to get a hold of him so they can extradite him to the US.

They dug up the excuse in the form of an old and unfounded allegation of rape that had previously been withdrawn. If you knew the facts here, you'd understand what's actually happening.
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 04:57 PM
Response to Reply #49
57. Yeah right...
...it is a conspiracy planned by the same masters who pulled off the controlled demolition of the WTC.

This time they did it by having two confused women who were not even sure they had been raped run to the cops well after the incident. One prosecutor to open an investigation, another to close it and a third to reopen it - after the target had bolted so he couldn't be arrested and shipped to Gitmo.

People with planning skills like those wouldn't even be able to dress themselves in the morning!
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reorg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 05:17 PM
Response to Reply #57
58. Well, so far they made a heck of a job
- out of nothing.
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 06:34 PM
Response to Reply #58
59. Heck of a job?
If this is a conspiracy to drop Assange in prison or Gitmo it is stunningly incompetently executed.
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reorg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 06:36 PM
Response to Reply #59
60. Heck of a smear job, yes n/t
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The Doctor. Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 08:11 PM
Response to Reply #59
64. Hardly. It's simply the only reasonable avenue by which to get him here.

Fact; The USAG wants him here. Why do the work of making a case otherwise.

See my post below for the rest.
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The Doctor. Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 08:07 PM
Response to Reply #57
63. Ummm.... it's not a 'conspiracy' theory, it's a well-supported theory.
You are not apparently in possession of enough of the facts to apply reason to the circumstances.

1) It has been discovered that the US and Sweden have had informal talks about extradition.

2) Britain will not extradite to the US if the possible punishment is too severe. Therefore, only if he goes to Sweden could he wind up here.

3) The rape allegations in Sweden had been dropped before, and were suddenly and conveniently reinstated by prosecutors after the US suffered embarrassment.

4) Those allegations are not strong enough on the very face to get a conviction, and the prosecutor likely knows this by virtue of the contradictory text messages sent by the accuser(s).

5) The USAG has been looking for something to charge him with. That indicates the expectation that there will be attempts at extradition.

One would have to be very oblivious and/or naïve not to see what's going on here.


It's amazing the sort of ignorance the phrase 'conspiracy theory' can evoke.
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 08:54 AM
Response to Reply #63
67. LOL! Theory?
"1) It has been discovered that the US and Sweden have had informal talks about extradition."
Discovered by what tinfoil brigade?

"2) Britain will not extradite to the US if the possible punishment is too severe. Therefore, only if he goes to Sweden could he wind up here."
Neither will Sweden so no benefit there.

"3) The rape allegations in Sweden had been dropped before, and were suddenly and conveniently reinstated by prosecutors after the US suffered embarrassment."
Actually the investigation was reopened after the victims lawyer appealed the prosecutors decission.

"4) Those allegations are not strong enough on the very face to get a conviction, and the prosecutor likely knows this by virtue of the contradictory text messages sent by the accuser(s)."
Wow! Are you a judge? You speak with such certainty of what sentence the court will decide on.

"5) The USAG has been looking for something to charge him with. That indicates the expectation that there will be attempts at extradition."
Yet there are no charges in the US, other than in the minds teabaggers and conspitarionalists.
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The Doctor. Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 11:48 AM
Response to Reply #67
70. When in doubt, make stuff up?
Edited on Thu Feb-10-11 11:49 AM by The Doctor.
1) Independent UK. No denials have been made.

2) Why not? (See #1)

3) Keep studying. (You might look up Sweden's record of rape prosecution with Amnesty International.)

4) See #3

5) Are you just denying outright that Holder is looking to charge him with something, despite the fact that Holder has said as much?

Sorry, but here in reality if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, tastes like a duck, and fucks like a duck, it's a duck.
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 12:19 PM
Response to Reply #70
71. Do you have any actual points?
"1) Independent UK. No denials have been made."
Independent? The paper or independent tinfoilers? Besides if it is publicly denied would you belive it?

"2) Why not?"
Do your own research. Swedish extradition regs are rather restrictive.
http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/1915/a/19747

"3) Keep studying."
So you really have no arguments? Other than the fact that it is hard to convict someone for rape in Sweden. This is what you considers evidence? Of what exactly? Because it doesn't seem to have anything to do with your original complaint over the investigation being reopened.

"5) Are you just denying outright that Holder is looking to charge him with something, despite the fact that Holder has said as much?"
I don't really care what Holder does or says since the chance of getting Assange extradited to the US is about zero, and NO the Wikileaks stuff isn't enough.
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The Doctor. Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 02:18 PM
Response to Reply #71
75. I've made the points. You will believe what you want to despite some of the facts.
That's fine. I sincerely hope that you are right.

1) The Independent UK is a newspaper. Odd that you would feel the need to obfuscate here. They have a good rep. A public denial would certainly factor into my considerations.

2) Nice source. If you were betting that my Swedish wasn't so good, you were right ;*). So I looked up the http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2710/a/15435">translation.

It certainly looks good on the surface. I have been aware for sometime that European nations do not extradite to countries where the death penalty may be imposed. Of course, the important excerpt I'm sure you're interested is this one;
Utlämning får heller inte beviljas om det kan befaras att den som ska utlämnas, på grund av sin härstamning, tillhörighet till en viss samhällsgrupp eller religiösa eller politiska uppfattning löper risk att bli utsatt för förföljelse som riktar sig mot hans liv eller frihet eller som på annat sätt är av allvarligt slag. En utlämning får vidare inte beviljas, om det skulle strida mot grundläggande humanitära krav, t.ex. mot bakgrund av personens ungdom eller hälsotillstånd. Slutligen får utlämning i princip inte beviljas om dom beträffande det aktuella brottet har meddelats här i landet. Om brottet skulle ha varit preskriberat enligt svensk lag får utlämning heller inte beviljas.


Ooops, wrong page;
Nor may extradition be granted if there is reason to fear that the person whose extradition is requested runs a risk - on account of his or her ethnic origins, membership of a particular social group or religious or political beliefs - of being subjected to persecution threatening his or her life or freedom, or is serious in some other respect. Nor, moreover, may extradition be granted if it would be contrary to fundamental humanitarian principles, e.g. in consideration of a person's youth or the state of this person's health. Finally, in principle, extradition may not be granted if a judgment has been pronounced for the same offence in this country. Nor may extradition be granted if the offence would have been statute-barred by limitation under Swedish law.


That looks promising. Add the fact that the US is a proven torture state, and Holder's job becomes a nightmare. What job is that? Holder needs to show, according to the http://knowledgeempire.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/supplement-to-united-states-extradition-treaty-with-sweden-1984/">Supplement to US-Sweden Extradition Treaty, Holder must show that the offense is a) Punishable by no less than two years incarceration, b)Will not result in Death or persecution. c) Similar in some way to anything considered an offense under Swedish law.

Now, one can say that that the Swedes will consider the extenuating circumstances and realize that this is a witch hunt by the US that might result in the death or other persecution of Assange. Here's the problem with that; So long as Holder submits the request with assurances against such eventualities, all the Swedish authorities are left with is to decide whether to believe it.

Since, on its face, the request will pose no such punishment, they are free to extradite him in this case.

THAT would be where diplomatic efforts, as suggested by The Independent UK, would be applied.

So, with that in mind, I'll skip ahead;

5) You should care, because it is quite possible such a request will be granted. That Holder wishes, through diplomatic channels, to make such a request is a foregone conclusion given that he has stated he will find a way to charge him. This is a very logical conclusion.

3) You completely missed what the report concluded. It wasn't that it's 'hard to get rape convictions' in Sweden, it's that 'rape cases are rarely prosecuted'. Swedish authorities are infamous, according to AI, for not prosecuting rape cases even when there is a preponderance of evidence. Why are they going after this one when not only is there no evidence of forcible rape, but the prosecution dropped the case? It's possible that the lawyers for the 'victims' can force an investigation open, but a prosecution? That's up to the prosecutor. I'm sure there's more to learn here.

4) Do you believe the allegations against him of rape are legitimate?


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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 05:09 PM
Response to Reply #70
80. Nein habla Svenska...?
"1) The Independent UK is a newspaper. Odd that you would feel the need to obfuscate here. They have a good rep. A public denial would certainly factor into my considerations."
Figured it was, just wanted to make sure. Well it seems as if it was a rumor started after Assange was arrested.
Foreign minister Bildt denied it (as you requested):
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/utrikes/usa-samtalar-med-sverige-om-overlamning-av-assange_5792609.svd
...and the latest on that front indicates that things are not progressing well for such efforts by the US:
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/nya-uppgifter-gor-det-svart-for-usa-att-atala-assange_5930931.svd

"2) Nice source. If you were betting that my Swedish wasn't so good, you were right ;*). So I looked up the translation."
You seems to manage... ;-)
Basicly there is no valid excuse to request extradition of Assange to the US. It seems, according to the second link, that even the effort to raise charges in the US is difficult - something that should be much simpler to arrange than getting an extradition from Sweden. Also remember the reason Assange was in Sweden to begin with, Sweden have very strong laws protecting publication and protecting leaks (the authorities are technically not even allowed to investigate them).

"5) You should care, because it is quite possible such a request will be granted. That Holder wishes, through diplomatic channels, to make such a request is a foregone conclusion given that he has stated he will find a way to charge him. This is a very logical conclusion."
Yet he seems unable to even find a charge under US law. Remember if he is to have any chance of extradition then Assange have to be charged with something that is a crime in Sweden as well as the US - and perhaps the UK as well depending on any conditions placed on the extradition by the UK if it is approved.

"THAT would be where diplomatic efforts, as suggested by The Independent UK, would be applied."
Except that the political decission by the Swedish goverment is the very last step of the extradition process. Before getting there the case has to clear the judicial procedures, and Assange can appeal the decission to the supreme court. If the supreme court OK the extradition THEN it becomes a political matter.

"3) You completely missed what the report concluded. It wasn't that it's 'hard to get rape convictions' in Sweden, it's that 'rape cases are rarely prosecuted'. Swedish authorities are infamous, according to AI, for not prosecuting rape cases even when there is a preponderance of evidence. Why are they going after this one when not only is there no evidence of forcible rape, but the prosecution dropped the case?"
Well the Swedish goverment have deliberatly encouraged rape victims to report the crime so it is hardly surprising that more marginal cases end up in court and thus lower the conviction %. As for the prosecution dropping the case, she might - IF Assange shows up and answer her questions, something even Assange's defence witness adviced him to do during the hearings this week.
Perhaps you should ask yourself what do the prosecution have on Assange for them to go on the hunt in this manner when they are not shy about closing rape cases in general.

"It's possible that the lawyers for the 'victims' can force an investigation open, but a prosecution? That's up to the prosecutor. I'm sure there's more to learn here."
Well the new prosecutor have not decided on charging him yet, Assange is a suspect being extradited for questioning. He has not been charged with anything yet, something only the prosecutor can do. I don't really see why you think someone who think they are the victim of a crime shouldn't have the right to appeal a decission of a prosecutor to close an investigation - which is what happened here. Two of the three prosecutors that have looked at the case seems to think there is reason to dig deeper.

"4) Do you believe the allegations against him of rape are legitimate?"
Don't really know, it is up to the prosecutor to prove to the court. I will say that Assange's antics sure makes it look as if there is some smoke there.
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movonne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:42 PM
Response to Original message
4. How can someone be raped when they are asleep???
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WatsonT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:43 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. Um . . .
Edited on Tue Feb-08-11 02:43 PM by WatsonT
if someone else has sex with them without consent?
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verges Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:47 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. Um....Happens quite a bit.... nt
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Judi Lynn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:50 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. Right! Anyone who doesn't want to be raped shouldn't go to sleep! Simple, isn't it? n/t
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sakabatou Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:50 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. It does happen.
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robinlynne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #8
46. yes, but she then let him stay at her apt for another week. highly unlikely....
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DRoseDARs Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:53 PM
Response to Reply #4
9. *facepalm* Rape is non-consensual, often forced sex. Can't give consent if you're asleep. nt
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truthisfreedom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #9
22. You can give pre-consent. Years ago I had a lover who liked to wake up to sex.
She and I had an agreement about it. But I'm not making any suggestions about this situation. I'm completely on the sidelines regarding Assange's guilt/innocence until all the facts are in.
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spooky3 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:02 PM
Response to Reply #4
12. shouldn't you be asking "how can someone give consent if asleep?"
Edited on Tue Feb-08-11 03:03 PM by spooky3
or, "why would someone wait until another person is asleep to initiate sex, if s/he believed that the person would consent?"
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:15 PM
Response to Reply #4
14. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
JDPriestly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 04:04 PM
Response to Reply #4
21. Depends on how you define rape.
It is possible, although the question arises, "Why did you let him share your room or bed in the first place?" And, of course a rape that occurs during sleep is kind of a matter of "He said; she said" and hard to prove unless there is evidence of a struggle or some other clear evidence of rape.
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TorchTheWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 05:09 AM
Response to Reply #21
41. no one gets to define rape however they choose
Just like they don't get to define murder, theft or any other crime however they choose. It doesn't matter if some neanderthal doesn't think it's rape until the guy finishes instead of the legally defined moment of penetration or not, it's still rape whatever the hell said neanderthal wants to think.

Evidence doesn't define whether or not someone was raped either. Trials don't determine whether or not something occurred, they determine whether or not there is enough evidence that the accused is guilty under the law.

Rape is almost always a case of he said/she said because it hinges entirely on consent. Because sex is such a private matter, the consent or lack thereof isn't likely to be witnessed.


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JDPriestly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 01:41 PM
Response to Reply #41
51. Yes. The word "rape" can have a subjective meaning.
But it also has a legal meaning which varies according to the law that applies. Swedish law uses a very broad definition of rape. So, in once sense you are right, but in terms of getting a conviction for a rape charge, only the legal definition matters. So, you are right that no one gets to define rape however they choose if you are talking about the legal definition. And it is quite possible that a lot of rapes would not result in convictions because while the victim feels raped, the law would not recognize what happened as rape. It is not an act that can be proved or successfully prosecuted.

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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 05:59 PM
Response to Reply #4
26. Deleted message
Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
TorchTheWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 04:34 AM
Response to Reply #4
40. I WAS
How hard is it to spread the legs of a soundly sleeping person and stick your dick in her before she wakes up or wakes up enough to know what's going on?

IT'S EASY.

It happened to me, and I hardly think I could possibly be the only one.

Funny how this one case makes people forget what rape is and at what point sex becomes rape and what contitutes consent and what contitutes breach of consent. No, it's not funny, it's SICK.



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crim son Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 02:29 PM
Response to Reply #4
52. I have wondered the same thing.
I assume it happens, but it sure as hell could never happen to me. Anybody who sleeps that deeply should probably sleep alone in a locked room.
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Jennicut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 08:58 AM
Response to Reply #4
68. Do we even have to answer this? As someone who was molested as a child,
I can attest to the fact that it does happen, quite a lot. That being said, I will presume Mr. Assange's innocence unless it can be proven he did it. Rape should never be something accused lightly.
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Volaris Donating Member (479 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 09:29 PM
Response to Reply #4
82. self-delete..
Edited on Thu Feb-10-11 09:29 PM by Volaris
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florida08 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 02:58 PM
Response to Original message
10. she was happy b4 she was scorned
"In documents submitted to the court Mr Hurtig also revealed that Miss A had posted messages on the Twitter website in which she seemed happy in Mr Assange’s company after he had allegedly assaulted her, and had also written a blog detailing how a woman could get revenge on an ex-lover."

Sounds like two women who found out about each other
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spooky3 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:01 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. That was according to Assange's lawyer.
It has not been determined what the facts are yet.
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:29 PM
Response to Reply #11
17. And witnesses. One testified yesterday that she offered to be
Assange's press secretary 48 hours after the alleged attack.

I can see not telling anyone and putting up a happy face in public but, offering to have MORE contact with your rapist is not believable.
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TorchTheWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 05:14 AM
Response to Reply #17
42. happens all the time
particularly in cases where you know your attacker. I and other rape victims here have attested to the fact that, yes, it is COMMON for rape victims to "put on a happy face" and continue to have contact with your attacker. In FACT, it is more common than not.


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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 03:32 PM
Response to Reply #42
54. You didn't read my post. That's what I said. n/t
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robinlynne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #17
47. exactly.
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greiner3 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #11
18. "It has not been determined what the facts are yet."
Uh, all the quotes from witnesses have been entered as facts. I'm not sure of the British legal system when it comes to perjury but I can bet they don't like it too much.
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Joanne98 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:23 PM
Response to Reply #10
15. Yep. It sounds like she got mad when he went with someone else.
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zeemike Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:52 PM
Response to Reply #15
19. That plus
The certainty of reward for shutting Assage up....and that is a reality in such organizations as the CIA and others. Cash rewards have always worked.
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xchrom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 03:02 PM
Response to Original message
13. recommend
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JDPriestly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 04:02 PM
Response to Original message
20. If there is a police investigation, the police may have been able to
obtain something like our warrants to discover evidence. Also, she may have been required to provide certain information to the police. Certainly, the police would have interviewed all kinds of witnesses as would defense attorneys. Seems to me. I'm just guessing here, but if it is a criminal matter, there is nothing unusual about obtaining evidence.

Someone she knows may simply be helping the police or telling the truth to his attorneys.
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Judi Lynn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 04:12 PM
Response to Original message
23. WikiLeaks: 'Text Messages Could Clear Assange'
WikiLeaks: 'Text Messages Could Clear Assange'
8:48pm UK, Tuesday February 08, 2011

Michelle Clifford and Natalie Fahy

A hoard of secret text messages could clear the name of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a court has heard.

Investigators have collected around 100 messages to and from his two alleged victims that undermine the case of sexual assault against him, the whistle-blower’s Swedish lawyer has said.

Bjorn Hurtig said the texts indicated that the women expected to be paid and intended to get "revenge".

They also suggested they wanted to contact newspapers to "blast" Assange’s reputation.

However, Hurtig told Belmarsh Magistrates Court in south London that prosecutors in Stockholm have not let him have copies, making it impossible for Assange to receive a fair trial.

More:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/WikiLeaks-Founder-Julian-Assange-Could-Have-His-Name-Cleared-By-Text-Messages-Court-Hears/Article/201102215925699?f=rss
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 04:53 PM
Response to Reply #23
25. It is not for the UK court to decide guilt.
That issue will be dealt with in a Swedish court, if Assange is ever formally charged. In that case all the prosecution's evidence will be available for the defense to examine and attempt to disprove.

The only thing for the UK court to decide is really if the Swedish prosecutors have filled in the paperwork correctly and if the request is OK from a UK legal point of view. Assange's guilt or innocence are irrelevant at this point really.
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 06:32 PM
Response to Reply #25
30. There is the issue of probable cause but also the issue of
an Interpol warrant being issued for a witness. The Swedish prosecutor sure looks inept, at this point.
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Bragi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 09:17 AM
Response to Reply #25
69. Any thoughts on the B of A attack on Wikileaks?
Just wondering, since your comments here on Wikileaks have a pattern that is consistent with the apparent task of the spooks hired by the Bank of America to erode online support for Wikileaks.

As in:

"Feed the fuel between the feuding groups. Disinformation. Create messages around actions to sabotage or discredit the opposing organizations."

And, "(widen) the fracture among the followers because of the belief that Julien is going astray from the cause and has selected his own mission of attacking the U.S."

See the BofA attack plan here:

http://wikileaks.ch/IMG/pdf/WikiLeaks_Response_v6.pdf
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #69
72. Dont see....
...what Assange's sexlife have to do with Wikileaks.
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 06:25 PM
Response to Original message
27. Julian Assange's accusers sent texts discussing revenge, court hears
Björn Hurtig, the WikiLeaks founder's lawyer in Sweden, says the women's messages contradict their claims
Esther Addley
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 8 February 2011 20.41 GMT

Julian Assange's Swedish lawyer was shown scores of text messages sent by the two women who accuse him of rape and sexual assault, in which they speak of "revenge" and extracting money from him, an extradition hearing was told.

Björn Hurtig, who represents the WikiLeaks founder in Sweden, told Belmarsh magistrates court that he had been shown "about 100" messages sent between the women and their friends while supervised by a Swedish police officer, but had not been permitted to make notes or share the contents with his client.

"I consider this to be contrary to the rules of a fair trial," he said. A number of the messages "go against what the claimants have said", he told the court.

Sweden is seeking the WikiLeaks founder's extradition in relation to allegations of rape, sexual assault and sexual molestation. He denies the accusations.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/08/julian-assange-extradition-hearing-texts

100?
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 06:56 PM
Response to Reply #27
31. Well he shouldn't have any problems...
...getting those IF Assange is charged with anything.


Also rather amusing that the king of leaks is whining over... leaks!
Well whining in general, what business would the Swedish prosecutor have there?
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 06:59 PM
Response to Reply #31
32. You seem to be unclear on the concept.
Leaking what governments do in secret is not the same as violating the privacy of an individual.

But as I've noted before, there are people in the world that would side with authority even while that authority was dragging their own family out of bed in the dead of night.
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 07:22 PM
Response to Reply #32
33. I think it would be...
...plenty personal for anyone mentioned in those leaked files in any identifiable way.

Besides next to the rabid witch hunt earlier for the two women who dared accuse St.Assange of the privacy violation of sticking his dick were it wasn't welcome Assange is getting of lightly.

Assange's two chief whines seems to be that Swedish media is holding the door open to the possibility that there might be something in the suspicions rather than supporting his paranoia that the CIA is after him. The second is his delusion that the Swedish legal system would be unable to hold a fair trial for him if charges were ever brough to the court.
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 07:27 PM
Response to Reply #33
34. Yes, as I said, unclear on the concept.
:)
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CJvR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-08-11 07:32 PM
Response to Reply #34
35. Whatever.
:tinfoilhat:
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elias49 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 12:41 PM
Response to Reply #33
73. St Assange? Oh yes - the name calling continues.
So one might refer to his accusers as "alleged whore A" or "evil Miss W'?
Just asking.
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robinlynne Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #31
48. wining over leaks? I dont think so.
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TorchTheWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 05:18 AM
Response to Reply #27
43. revenge for what?
Call me crazy, but most rape victims would like to extract some form of revenge on their attacker. Wow, now it's considered WEIRD to want revenge of some kind on someone who assaulted you????


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msanthrope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 10:30 AM
Response to Reply #43
44. Well, it's part of the rape apologia....
You see you can't defend the rapist without marginalizing the female accusers.

Note that EVERY reaction of these accusers is somehow seen as 'not what a REAL rape victim would do.'

I am reminded of certain Senators, who questioned why Professor Hill kept Clarence Thomas on her Christmas card list...after all, that wouldn't be the action of a woman who was REALLY harassed.


Same shit, different day, same disappointing enabling of the patriarchy.
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 03:37 PM
Response to Reply #44
56. LOL. They discredited themselves, no one has to do it for them. n/t
Edited on Wed Feb-09-11 03:39 PM by EFerrari
"Enabling that patriarchy" -- that's rich coming from someone who delights in referencing the execution of the Rosenbergs. lol
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msanthrope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 06:58 PM
Response to Reply #56
61. I've not seen a scintilla of actual evidence that discredits these women....
I've heard defense lawyers, internet speculators, and crazy conspiracy theorists state things--but I've yet to see anything that makes me think that this prosecution is being done in bad faith.

This does not mean that Assange is guilty. He should face his accusers, in Sweden.
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reorg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 07:01 PM
Response to Reply #61
62. lol
>>I've yet to see anything that makes me think that this prosecution is being done in bad faith.<<

Maybe you need to take a look :-)
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Hissyspit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #44
84. Oh please.
This may have been what actually happened. People do lie and lash out and falsely accuse when they feel wronged. I can just as easily make the argument that what you are doing is part of the false accusers apologia.
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tammywammy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 01:34 PM
Response to Reply #43
50. Oh hush you
Don't you realizes these honeypots/CIA Operatives/etc are just lying sluts???

A rape victim wanting revenge is unheard of I tell you!

:sarcasm:
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reorg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 02:38 PM
Response to Reply #43
53. revenge for a broken condom
When a woman willingly spreads her legs to a virtual stranger and reaches for the condom, a guy should know that saying "don't, I want to feel your body" only shows how out of touch he is with today's post-feminist mores. What is left of traditional modesty and female reluctance hinges on that artifical hide these days. It must never be broken. Because if it does, those who advertise their parasitic hold on the levers of power and influence as "protection" will come down on you with full force. They do not aim for rational discourse. Conjuring up old stereotypes familiar from anti-Semitic and other racist campaigns, they lament the slighting of the vulnerable, the weak, the woman. She must be protected! If only for the condom hide, she has been disrespected!
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EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 03:36 PM
Response to Reply #43
55. Wanting revenge is not weird. Acting out that wish is weird
and in this case, likely against the law.
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24601 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 09:01 PM
Response to Reply #43
65. Does Sweden castrate rapists? I'll bet not. He should demand
his day in court - in Sweden. It's not really known for being a right-wing country is it?

But if he's guilty, he would do everything to stay away from a court of law. Worked for Roman Polanski....
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reorg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 09:55 PM
Response to Reply #65
66. yes, due process is a bitch sometimes
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Hissyspit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 09:48 PM
Response to Reply #43
83. Revenge for not treating them the way they wanted to be treated would be the motivation
Edited on Thu Feb-10-11 09:55 PM by Hissyspit
Is one argument. You know that.
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Bragi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-09-11 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
45. Trumped up distraction working with some
I think most sensible people can see through this attempt by U.S authorities to stop Assange from releasing evidence of their crimes, though clearly some people don't.

I'm sure Assange will have to live with the results of this smear job, but I'm also sure he will continue his good work without any problem.
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Bodhi BloodWave Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 02:30 PM
Response to Reply #45
76. Everything isn't centered around the US ya know, and in some ways its insulting
to my neighbors(aka the people of Sweden) to assume they are just puppets the US controls.

That is the impression I get from a lot of people here on DU lately in regards to Sweden
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Judi Lynn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 02:48 PM
Response to Reply #76
77. There are a lot of Democrats who, unlike Republicans, know something about US history.
We have the record to inform us of what can be expected.
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Bodhi BloodWave Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 10:54 PM
Response to Reply #77
85. Does the US history tell ya a lot about Sweden tho?
Edited on Thu Feb-10-11 10:55 PM by Bodhi BloodWave
unrelated statement: keep up your great SA work in that section of DU :) love reading your stuff regarding that area since it tends to be very educational
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defendandprotect Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 01:55 PM
Response to Original message
74. k/r
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Matariki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 02:55 PM
Response to Original message
78. I find it very interesting that the biggest detractor of Assange in this discussion
is from Sweden and recent to DU.
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elias49 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 04:57 PM
Response to Reply #78
79. Things that make you want to go 'hmmmmm' nt
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Matilda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-10-11 07:24 PM
Response to Original message
81. I know that Assange has not been accused, and this is not a trial,
but it seems odd to me that his legal term aren't allowed to have copies of the documents. Because if this is true, it could blow any hope of a case against him out of the water, thereby saving the courts a huge amount of money.

You'd think, if things were proceeding normally, that they'd want to get it resolved quickly. But dragging it on makes it look like a fitup.

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