Some interesting Guardian comments on the Assange case yesterday

[Ghost Dog]

These are just a selected few earlier comments on the Swedish government appealing Assange's bail. I thought them illuminating of the general flavor of public opinion expressed in the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/14/julian-assange-bail-sweden?showallcomments=true#start-of-comments

I find it worrying, by contrast, that US msm is claiming pushing 70% condemnation of Assange in the USA: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x7366


kenlittle 14 December 2010 9:47PM

Shame on Sweden.
Since when have Scandinavians been lap dogs for America.
I thought that was us Brit role.
God. You could not get tighter bail conditions. Let the man go.
Why are the Swedish conspiring in what is so obviously a stitch up to put behind bars a man who has exposed diplomacy for what it is.
A bloody hypocritical sham.


* Sarabina 14 December 2010 9:49PM

I had great respect for Sweden before all this occurred. In fact I was thinking about moving to Sweden in the near future.

However, after seeing how Sweden is handling this case I have lost all respect for them.

It looks like Sweden has bowed down to US pressure, and I do not want to live a country that would willingly wh*re itself out!


ImWikiLeaks 14 December 2010 10:11PM

@RodgerTheDodger
· What do the Swedish media say about all this ? Does anyone know ?

This film was screened on Swedish TV last week. It's very good.
WikiRebels - The Documentary (in 4 parts) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhTfOL9_HBE

From summer 2010 until now, Swedish Television has been following the secretive media network WikiLeaks and its enigmatic Editor-in-Chief Julian Assange. Reporters Jesper Huor and Bosse Lindquist have traveled to key countries where WikiLeaks operates, interviewing top members, such as Assange, new Spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson, as well as people like Daniel Domscheit-Berg who now is starting his own version - Openleaks.org! Where is the secretive organization heading? Stronger than ever, or broken by the US? Who is Assange: champion of freedom, spy or rapist? What are his objectives? What are the consequences for the internet?"


Ruffsan 14 December 2010 10:22PM

I live in Sweden. Shortly after the news broke that the public prosecutor wanted Julian Assange in connection with a sexual offence here, my reaction was one of extreme suspicion. After all it was only days after the Wikileaks on US activitiy in Iraq. I haven't got a clue what happened but Assange seems to have stepped into something that caused him immense damage or hyped his reputation depending on who you believe. I think the Swedes are honest people and would not be working this because of any exterior influence. Also, the Swedish legal position to sex offences has been tightened very much. Julian Assange may be a victim of a zealous legal system rather than any conspiracy. I think it will be discovered that the Swedish judiciary were acting in good faith but as with many things Swedish, using excessive red tape. I was not born in Sweden but hold citizenship. I believe them to be fair minded and would even encourage Julian Assange to travel there to see if the system is as fair as I think it is.


Idil 14 December 2010 10:24PM

I can not see the logic of not allowing him access to Library, some decent newspapers and restricted internet use in prison. It sounds like psychological pressure to me.

I also do not understand why the bail should be presented in cash.

Since most of the people donating to the bail are reputable , well known, well off people how come their checks are not accepted as bail and cashed if he ever takes off (I certainly do not think he will, but I am trying to understand the case from prosecutors point of view).

I do not understand why Swedish authorities want him in prison when he is only wanted for questioning at this level. He went to the police himself, gave his passport, agreed to wear electronic tags, will visit police station every day. So what is the problem from Sweden's perspective?

Clearly a person with his face plastered on global media can not escape under these conditions, so why are they making a fuss about it? I am still looking forward to learn what he is charged with in Sweden. He has been on Red Interpol Bulletin, asked to pay quite a high amount of money in cash as bail even though his movements are restricted by tags, curfews etc. Isn't it a bit much for questioning, even for molestation charges?

According to Q and A article in Guardian, his team of lawyers should take a lawyer specialized on extradition and EAW cases. I hope they get a good (even an exceptionally good one) on the team before January 11.

As a last note, thanks to all the well off mavericks and others who have pledged money for his bail and Mr. Vaughn Smith who offered his home. World is better place thanks to mavericks as history shows in various instances.


- Ruffsan's opinion, above, if so, could lead one to wonder if Mr. Assange wouldn't be more secure in Sweden from US extradition or other 'interference' than in UK?

[dipsydoodle]

1. Whether he would be safer from extrradition

in Sweden or the UK is probably six of one and half a dozen of the other but I'd go for him staying in the UK.