Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 11:09 AM Jul 2015

France says 'non' to Assange asylum plea

Source: The Local France

Still wanted in Sweden over sex allegations, the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange asked France's president François Hollande to grant him asylum on Friday. But his request was quickly rejected.

Assange, who denies sex crimes in Stockholm four years ago, wrote an open letter to the French president asking François Hollande to "welcome" him in France.

His plea was published in the newspaper Le Monde on Friday - which marks the birthday of the Wikileaks' founder.

The Australian has been ensconced in Ecuador's embassy in London since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden.

The 44-year-old is due to be questioned in the British capital by Swedish prosecutors later this month, after they previously refused to travel to the UK to talk to him.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.thelocal.fr/20150703/wikileaks-founder-assange-asks-france-for-asylum

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
2. So has agreed to turn himself over the Swedish government if they decide there is enough evidence
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 04:32 PM
Jul 2015

to charge him after they question him? If not then it sounds like the prosecutor is wasting their time imo.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
3. Unsurprising.
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 09:15 PM
Jul 2015

The Justice Minister made some Judy Tenuta "It could happen" noise, but realistically, there was zero chance of the guy getting asylum. The French have been known to lift asylum and permit arrest of a person, too (Ira Einhorn, most notably) so going to France to hide out is no guarantee of safety over the long haul.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»France says 'non' to Assa...