Assange hails victory after Sweden drops probe

Prosecutors first interviewed Assange in November last year in the Ecuadorean embassy. They were not allowed to question him directly but only through an Ecuadorean prosecutor.

Because normal laws don't apply to Assange. He's a creepy individual as his emails to ladies more than show.

The hate America crowd are so willing to give him a pass he could have been accused of paedophilia they wouldn't care so irrational is their hatred.

Me? I'm glad Chelsea Manning is free and can continue her life after serving some time for being stupid, instead of the initial draconian sentence.

And I'm glad Assange is far from free from the prison he chose. Enjoy your reality show Jules, you earned it.

for being stupid

Wow! The guy exposes more about the US's military hegemony than anyone else in our history, and you think he was being stupid?

And Assange is a pawn of Putin?

WTF are you talking about? Do you have any proof about Assange being a pawn?

Assange fears extradition to the U.S. for espionage because his organization has in fact committed acts of espionage against the United States---multiple acts of espionage.  

And in our White House sits a "President" who "loves" them for conducting those acts of espionage...  

And an ignorant and ill-informed base which loves that so-called "President".

Like him or loathe him, he brought some uncomfortable truths about the so-called "war on terror" to light. For that, I am thankful.

Anyone have a list of anything Assange has ever released about Russia? I know they hit Syria pretty hard and that had some Russian info, but just curious if anyone has any other information. Because it sure seems like the protector of freedom and transparency sure does like to give Putin a free pass, and even helps him on occasion.

Assange has not been subject to arbitrary detention. He could have returned to Sweden at any time to answer the allegations made against him. He hasn't won a victory either: if he does return to Sweden the matter will be reopened.

Still, I don't think he should be sent to the US. I'm fed up with the US trying to extend the reach of its laws over the entire world. Things that are deemed by the US as crimes, when committed outside of the US by non-US citizens should never be judged in the US.

At a press briefing on Friday, top Swedish prosecutor Ny said that by remaining in the Ecuador embassy in London, Assange had evaded the exercise of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) that would have seen him extradited to Sweden. That under Swedish law, a criminal investigation needed to be conducted "as quickly as possible," but Sweden did not expect Ecuador's cooperation in formally notifying Assange of the allegations against him, a necessary step in proceeding with the case.

So, Sweden would have not been able to carry out the investigation, but Sweden is "not making any pronouncement about guilt." Though if Assange were to return to Sweden before the statute of limitation on this case expires in August 2020, the investigation could be resumed.

In short, Assange is getting off on a technicality, while Sweden is not saying that he's guilty or not guilty but reserve the right to resume investigation until the statute of limitations expires in Aug 2020.

Meanwhile, the woman plaintiff in the rape case was surprised by the decision and maintains her accusations against Assange. As for Assange, he remains wanted in the UK for the less serious offense of jumping bail, that carries a maximum sentence of just 1 year in prison.