Relief For Julian Assange as Swedish Prosecutors Drop Rape Case

The WikiLeaks founder has been living in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speaks from the balcony of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. (Photo: AP)

Swedish prosecutors said on Friday they would drop a preliminary investigation into an allegation of rape against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Friday, bringing to an end, a seven-year legal stand-off.

“Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny has today (Friday) decided to discontinue the preliminary investigation regarding suspected rape concerning Julian Assange,” the prosecutors office said in a statement.

Assange’s defense lawyer said the decision was a “total victory for us.” After the decision Julian Assange tweeted a photo of him smiling.

Forty-five-year-old Assange has lived in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012, after taking refuge there to avoid extradition to Sweden over the allegation of rape, which he denies. There’s also the added fear that he will be handed over to the US to face prosecution over the publication of classified documents in WikiLeaks.

However, London police issued a statement after the Swedish announcement making clear Assange was still wanted by them.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Julian Assange following him failing to surrender to the court on the 29 June 2012. The Metropolitan Police Service is obliged to execute that warrant should he leave the Embassy. Whilst Mr Assange was wanted on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for an extremely serious offence, the MPS response reflected the serious nature of that crime.

British Prime Minister, Theresa May, said it would be for police to decide if Julian Assange should be arrested if he leaves the Ecuadorean embassy

And in relation to Julian Assange, any decision that is taken about UK action in relation to him were he to leave the Ecuadorian embassy would be an operational matter for the police.

Theresa May, PM, United Kingdom

The UK police did not confirm whether it received any extradition request from the USA.