This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/media/live/2017/may/19/julian-assange-rape-inquiry-dropped-live
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Julian Assange says 'proper war is just commencing' after rape inquiry dropped - live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.35pm BST | |
| 17:35 | |
| Haroon Siddique | |
| Haroon Siddique has filed for us from outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London: | |
| Julian Assange has said that the battle is over but the war has just begun after Swedish prosecutors dropped their investigations into allegations of rape against the WikiLeaks founder. | |
| Standing on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy, Assange lambasted the Metropolitan police’s threat to arrest him on charges of skipping bail as “untenable”. | |
| There were a few cheers as Assange emerged, clad in a brown leather jacket and raising a clenched fist, but his supporters were vastly outnumbered by the world’s media. | |
| He said: “Today is an important victory for me and for the UN’S human rights system but it by no means erases the years of detention without charge in prison, under house arrest and almost five years here in this embassy without sunlight, seven years without charge while my children grew up without me. And that is not something I can forget, it is not something I can forgive.” | |
| Reporters and photographers were joined by curious passersby and tourists as the crowd swelled during the day after the Swedish announcement on Friday morning. Assange kept the throng waiting until seven hours after that announcement before addressing them. | |
| In a speech lasting about 10 minutes that was frequently interrupted by a heckler shouting “What is the truth?” and comparing Assange to the central character in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, the WikiLeaks founder took aim at Sweden, the UK, the EU - specifically its extradition system - and the US. | |
| “While today is an important victory and an important vindication, the road is far from over, the proper war is just commencing,” he said. “The claim by the UK that it has a right to arrest me for seeking asylum in a case where there have been no charges is simply untenable.” | |
| Assange said a more important victory was the release of Chelsea Manning earlier this week. He made no mention of the woman who accused him of rape. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.37pm BST | |
| 5.13pm BST | 5.13pm BST |
| 17:13 | 17:13 |
| Press Association have published their first take on the Assange appearance: | Press Association have published their first take on the Assange appearance: |
| Julian Assange has signalled he will remain inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London despite the Swedish authorities suddenly dropping a seven year investigation against him. | Julian Assange has signalled he will remain inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London despite the Swedish authorities suddenly dropping a seven year investigation against him. |
| The WikiLeaks founder made a rare appearance on the balcony of the central London building to hail the decision by Sweden’s director of public prosecutions as an “important victory.” | The WikiLeaks founder made a rare appearance on the balcony of the central London building to hail the decision by Sweden’s director of public prosecutions as an “important victory.” |
| He gave a clenched fist salute to his supporters, and scores of journalists and TV crews, before maintaining that a “legal conflict” with the United States and the UK continues. | He gave a clenched fist salute to his supporters, and scores of journalists and TV crews, before maintaining that a “legal conflict” with the United States and the UK continues. |
| The Australian, who has lived inside the embassy for almost five years, said the “road is far from over”, adding it was “extremely regretful” that he was still being threatened with arrest if he leaves the embassy. | The Australian, who has lived inside the embassy for almost five years, said the “road is far from over”, adding it was “extremely regretful” that he was still being threatened with arrest if he leaves the embassy. |
| Assange said he had spent seven years either under house arrest or living inside the embassy, without charge, as he faced sex-related allegations in Sweden, which he has always denied. | Assange said he had spent seven years either under house arrest or living inside the embassy, without charge, as he faced sex-related allegations in Sweden, which he has always denied. |
| He had missed seeing his children growing up. “That is not something I can forgive, or forget,” he said, maintaining that he had been the victim of a “terrible injustice”. | He had missed seeing his children growing up. “That is not something I can forgive, or forget,” he said, maintaining that he had been the victim of a “terrible injustice”. |
| Detention and extradition without charge had become a feature of the EU, but it was not something expected from the rule of law in the UK, he said. | Detention and extradition without charge had become a feature of the EU, but it was not something expected from the rule of law in the UK, he said. |
| Assange thanked the government of Ecuador for granting him political asylum despite “intense pressure”, as well as his legal team and others who had stood by him. | Assange thanked the government of Ecuador for granting him political asylum despite “intense pressure”, as well as his legal team and others who had stood by him. |
| “We have today won an important victory, but the road is far from over. The proper war is just commencing.” | “We have today won an important victory, but the road is far from over. The proper war is just commencing.” |
| He pledged that WikiLeaks will continue distributing material about the activities of the CIA in the United States, and will “accelerate” its publications. | He pledged that WikiLeaks will continue distributing material about the activities of the CIA in the United States, and will “accelerate” its publications. |
| “The claim that the UK has the right to arrest me for seeking asylum in a case where there have been no charges is simply untenable. | |
| “My legal staff have contacted the UK authorities and we hope to engage in a dialogue about what is the best way forward.” | |
| Assange said the UK had refused to confirm or deny whether there is a warrant from the US for his extradition, insisting he was happy to talk to the US Justice Department. | |
| He returned into the building which has been his home for almost five years, without answering questions. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.20pm BST | |
| 4.50pm BST | 4.50pm BST |
| 16:50 | 16:50 |
| 'The proper war is just commencing' | 'The proper war is just commencing' |
| Assange said his legal battle is not over, despite the decision by Swedish prosecutors to drop their investigation into him. Using defiant language, the WikiLeaks founder said: “The road is far from over … the proper war is just commencing”. | Assange said his legal battle is not over, despite the decision by Swedish prosecutors to drop their investigation into him. Using defiant language, the WikiLeaks founder said: “The road is far from over … the proper war is just commencing”. |
| A “legal conflict” with the United States and the UK continues, he added. | A “legal conflict” with the United States and the UK continues, he added. |
| On what happens next, Assange signalled that he will remain inside the embassy for the time being, and that he is seeking dialogue with British and American officials: | On what happens next, Assange signalled that he will remain inside the embassy for the time being, and that he is seeking dialogue with British and American officials: |
| My legal staff have contacted the UK authorities, and we hope to engage in a dialogue on what is the best way forward. To some extent the UK has been exploited by the process it entered into with the EU, where it agreed to extradite people without charge. | My legal staff have contacted the UK authorities, and we hope to engage in a dialogue on what is the best way forward. To some extent the UK has been exploited by the process it entered into with the EU, where it agreed to extradite people without charge. |
| That is to an extent a forced position the UK has been put into. And, the first part of that is over. The UK refuses to confirm or deny at this stage whether a US extradition warrant is in the UK territory. | That is to an extent a forced position the UK has been put into. And, the first part of that is over. The UK refuses to confirm or deny at this stage whether a US extradition warrant is in the UK territory. |
| While there have been extremely threatening remarks made [in the US] I’m always happy to engage in a dialogue with the Department of Justice about what has occurred. | While there have been extremely threatening remarks made [in the US] I’m always happy to engage in a dialogue with the Department of Justice about what has occurred. |
| Assange has long said that he think the US wants him extradited and arrested in connection with WikiLeaks’ publication of classified US documents. He contends that the US should recognise his First Amendment rights as a journalist. | Assange has long said that he think the US wants him extradited and arrested in connection with WikiLeaks’ publication of classified US documents. He contends that the US should recognise his First Amendment rights as a journalist. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.10pm BST | at 5.10pm BST |
| 4.48pm BST | 4.48pm BST |
| 16:48 | 16:48 |
| Assange addresses the release of Chelsea Manning from prison in the US: | Assange addresses the release of Chelsea Manning from prison in the US: |
| We have had an even more important victory this week [and] that is the release of Chelsea Manning after seven years in military prison. | We have had an even more important victory this week [and] that is the release of Chelsea Manning after seven years in military prison. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.50pm BST | at 4.50pm BST |
| 4.45pm BST | 4.45pm BST |
| 16:45 | 16:45 |
| Assange thanks Ecuador, in whose embassy he has been holed up: | Assange thanks Ecuador, in whose embassy he has been holed up: |
| I would like to thank Ecuador, its people and its asylum system. They have stood by my asylum in the face of intense pressure. | I would like to thank Ecuador, its people and its asylum system. They have stood by my asylum in the face of intense pressure. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.02pm BST | at 5.02pm BST |
| 4.44pm BST | 4.44pm BST |
| 16:44 | 16:44 |
| “Today is an important victory for me,” Assange says, adding that his seven-year legal ordeal, which he calls unjust detention, “is not something that I can forgive.” | “Today is an important victory for me,” Assange says, adding that his seven-year legal ordeal, which he calls unjust detention, “is not something that I can forgive.” |
| It was “extremely regretful” that he was still being threatened with arrest if he leaves the embassy, he added, going on to say: | It was “extremely regretful” that he was still being threatened with arrest if he leaves the embassy, he added, going on to say: |
| The inevitable inquiry into what has occurred in this moment of terrible injustice is something that I hope will be more than just about me … because the reality is that detention and extradition without charge has become a feature of the EU. | The inevitable inquiry into what has occurred in this moment of terrible injustice is something that I hope will be more than just about me … because the reality is that detention and extradition without charge has become a feature of the EU. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.03pm BST | at 5.03pm BST |
| 4.41pm BST | 4.41pm BST |
| 16:41 | 16:41 |
| Assange speaks from balcony of Ecuadorian embassy | Assange speaks from balcony of Ecuadorian embassy |
| Julian Assange is addressing the media and his supporters from the embassy in central London. | Julian Assange is addressing the media and his supporters from the embassy in central London. |
| 3.36pm BST | 3.36pm BST |
| 15:36 | 15:36 |
| Haroon Siddique | Haroon Siddique |
| Word outside the Ecuadorian embassy is that Assange will make a statement at 4.3opm, writes Haroon Siddique. In the meantime we are going to pause the blog. Thanks for reading so far. | Word outside the Ecuadorian embassy is that Assange will make a statement at 4.3opm, writes Haroon Siddique. In the meantime we are going to pause the blog. Thanks for reading so far. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.38pm BST | at 3.38pm BST |
| 3.34pm BST | 3.34pm BST |
| 15:34 | 15:34 |
| Esther Addley | Esther Addley |
| Barry J Pollack, the lawyer who represents Assange in the US, told the Guardian that the Swedish decision “only highlights the fact Mr Assange has been unlawfully detained for years”, writes Esther Addley. | Barry J Pollack, the lawyer who represents Assange in the US, told the Guardian that the Swedish decision “only highlights the fact Mr Assange has been unlawfully detained for years”, writes Esther Addley. |
| He added: “Recent comments by the United States Attorney General and Director of the CIA demonstrate the obvious need of Mr Assange for asylum. The UK has no legitimate basis to interfere with Ecuador’s lawful decision.” | He added: “Recent comments by the United States Attorney General and Director of the CIA demonstrate the obvious need of Mr Assange for asylum. The UK has no legitimate basis to interfere with Ecuador’s lawful decision.” |
| Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, recently said arresting Assange was a “priority” for the US, while Mike Pompeo, CIA director, described Wikileaks as a “hostile intelligence service”. | Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, recently said arresting Assange was a “priority” for the US, while Mike Pompeo, CIA director, described Wikileaks as a “hostile intelligence service”. |
| 3.32pm BST | 3.32pm BST |
| 15:32 | 15:32 |
| While we wait for Assange to appear, here’s a summary of how things stand: | While we wait for Assange to appear, here’s a summary of how things stand: |
| Swedish prosecutors have dropped their preliminary investigation into an allegation of rape against the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, bringing an end to a seven-year legal standoff. The decision was taken after prosecutors concluded that “at this point, all possibilities to conduct the investigation are exhausted”, said Sweden’s director of public prosecutions, Marianne Ny. | Swedish prosecutors have dropped their preliminary investigation into an allegation of rape against the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, bringing an end to a seven-year legal standoff. The decision was taken after prosecutors concluded that “at this point, all possibilities to conduct the investigation are exhausted”, said Sweden’s director of public prosecutions, Marianne Ny. |
| Ny warned that the case could be reopened if Assange returns to Sweden before the statute of limitations ends in 2020. | Ny warned that the case could be reopened if Assange returns to Sweden before the statute of limitations ends in 2020. |
| While Assange no longer faces sex crime allegations in Sweden, the Metropolitan Police have said there is still a warrant for Assange’s arrest on the less serious offence of failing to surrender to the court in June 2012. It would be “obliged to execute the warrant” if Assange leaves the Ecuadorian embassy, it said. | While Assange no longer faces sex crime allegations in Sweden, the Metropolitan Police have said there is still a warrant for Assange’s arrest on the less serious offence of failing to surrender to the court in June 2012. It would be “obliged to execute the warrant” if Assange leaves the Ecuadorian embassy, it said. |
| A European arrest warrant against Assange has been dropped. Theresa May said added any decision about UK action in relation to Assange were he to leave embassy is “operational matter for the police.” | A European arrest warrant against Assange has been dropped. Theresa May said added any decision about UK action in relation to Assange were he to leave embassy is “operational matter for the police.” |
| It is not known whether US authorities are seeking Assange’s arrest for his role at the head of WikiLeaks, which has published tens of thousands of leaked classified US documents. There may be a sealed indictment. Last month US attorney general Jeff Sessions said arresting Assange was a priority. | It is not known whether US authorities are seeking Assange’s arrest for his role at the head of WikiLeaks, which has published tens of thousands of leaked classified US documents. There may be a sealed indictment. Last month US attorney general Jeff Sessions said arresting Assange was a priority. |
| Ecuador’s foreign minister Guillaume Long said his country will now try to secure safe passage for Assange. “Ecuador will now be intensifying its diplomatic efforts with the UK so that Julian Assange can gain safe passage, in order to enjoy his asylum in Ecuador,” he told the Guardian. | Ecuador’s foreign minister Guillaume Long said his country will now try to secure safe passage for Assange. “Ecuador will now be intensifying its diplomatic efforts with the UK so that Julian Assange can gain safe passage, in order to enjoy his asylum in Ecuador,” he told the Guardian. |
| WikiLeaks said it feared Assange still faces extradition to the US. After the Swedish announcement it tweeted: “UK refuses to confirm or deny whether it has already received a US extradition warrant for Julian Assange. Focus now moves to UK.” | WikiLeaks said it feared Assange still faces extradition to the US. After the Swedish announcement it tweeted: “UK refuses to confirm or deny whether it has already received a US extradition warrant for Julian Assange. Focus now moves to UK.” |
| Per E Samuelsson, Assange’s lawyer in Sweden, claims the decision is vindication for this client. He said: “This is a total victory for Julian Assange. He is now free to leave the embassy when he wants. We have won the Assange case. | Per E Samuelsson, Assange’s lawyer in Sweden, claims the decision is vindication for this client. He said: “This is a total victory for Julian Assange. He is now free to leave the embassy when he wants. We have won the Assange case. |
| A lawyer for Assange’s accuser called the prosecutor’s decision a “scandal”. Elisabeth Fritz said: “It is a scandal that a suspected rapist can escape justice and thereby avoid the courts.” | A lawyer for Assange’s accuser called the prosecutor’s decision a “scandal”. Elisabeth Fritz said: “It is a scandal that a suspected rapist can escape justice and thereby avoid the courts.” |
| Assange has warned he does not “forgive or forget”. Earlier he tweeted a picture of himself smiling. | Assange has warned he does not “forgive or forget”. Earlier he tweeted a picture of himself smiling. |
| 3.06pm BST | 3.06pm BST |
| 15:06 | 15:06 |
| David Leigh, the Guardian’s former investigations editor who worked with Assange over the leaked US embassy cables, has dismissed US rhetoric about arresting the Wikileaks founder. | David Leigh, the Guardian’s former investigations editor who worked with Assange over the leaked US embassy cables, has dismissed US rhetoric about arresting the Wikileaks founder. |
| Leigh was asked by BBC News about US Attorney Jeff Sessions claiming that arresting Assange was a priority. “Well that’s all just noise,” Leigh replied. | Leigh was asked by BBC News about US Attorney Jeff Sessions claiming that arresting Assange was a priority. “Well that’s all just noise,” Leigh replied. |
| He said: “The fact is that there is no official extradition request that has been made known from the US to the UK to get hold of Julian Assange. The Obama administration had probably dropped the idea of arresting and extraditing Assange. | He said: “The fact is that there is no official extradition request that has been made known from the US to the UK to get hold of Julian Assange. The Obama administration had probably dropped the idea of arresting and extraditing Assange. |
| “Then his antics during the Trump campaign [when] he leaked material maybe supplied by the Russians to discredit the Democrats, helped get Trump in. It now appears to be the Trump administration who are acting in a pretty hostile way. So that is very ironic.” | “Then his antics during the Trump campaign [when] he leaked material maybe supplied by the Russians to discredit the Democrats, helped get Trump in. It now appears to be the Trump administration who are acting in a pretty hostile way. So that is very ironic.” |
| Leigh added: | Leigh added: |
| My guess is we are not going to see Julian stick his head out of the door today. If he had faced music in Sweden and had been convicted, then any punishment he would have got would have been less than being locked up for seven years in a little room in the Ecuadorian embassy. | My guess is we are not going to see Julian stick his head out of the door today. If he had faced music in Sweden and had been convicted, then any punishment he would have got would have been less than being locked up for seven years in a little room in the Ecuadorian embassy. |
| We wrote a book about Julian Assange and we researched and investigated in great detail these sexual allegations. We discovered there was a good deal of evidence to support them. There was no evidence whatever that the women were part of some kind of CIA honeytrap. | We wrote a book about Julian Assange and we researched and investigated in great detail these sexual allegations. We discovered there was a good deal of evidence to support them. There was no evidence whatever that the women were part of some kind of CIA honeytrap. |
| Assange has bounced around like pinball. The one thing he has succeeded in doing is getting attention for himself and the story probably has got a bit further to run. | Assange has bounced around like pinball. The one thing he has succeeded in doing is getting attention for himself and the story probably has got a bit further to run. |
| 2.46pm BST | 2.46pm BST |
| 14:46 | 14:46 |
| There may be no sign yet of Assange at the windows of the Ecuadorian embassy, but he does appear to be following this blog. | There may be no sign yet of Assange at the windows of the Ecuadorian embassy, but he does appear to be following this blog. |
| https://t.co/0VmWWBCxfC pic.twitter.com/ubFLuVc0Gs | https://t.co/0VmWWBCxfC pic.twitter.com/ubFLuVc0Gs |
| 2.44pm BST | 2.44pm BST |
| 14:44 | 14:44 |
| Amelia Gentleman | Amelia Gentleman |
| Claes Borgström, who originally represented the two women but who is no longer involved in the case, has expressed regret that Assange will not be prosecuted in Sweden, writes Amelia Gentleman. | Claes Borgström, who originally represented the two women but who is no longer involved in the case, has expressed regret that Assange will not be prosecuted in Sweden, writes Amelia Gentleman. |
| “For the two women it would have been good if he had been examined in court. He will now never be found not guilty,” Borgström said. | “For the two women it would have been good if he had been examined in court. He will now never be found not guilty,” Borgström said. |
| He said one of the women, the one whom he represented most recently, “is not interested in making any comment or doing any interviews. It is so long ago now. She has tried to put that behind her and live a normal life. She doesn’t want to be reminded of what happened.” | He said one of the women, the one whom he represented most recently, “is not interested in making any comment or doing any interviews. It is so long ago now. She has tried to put that behind her and live a normal life. She doesn’t want to be reminded of what happened.” |
| He added: “I understand why the prosecutors have dropped the case now. Such a long time has passed. But I regret that Julian Assange was not brought to the Swedish court of law to answer the allegations against him.” | He added: “I understand why the prosecutors have dropped the case now. Such a long time has passed. But I regret that Julian Assange was not brought to the Swedish court of law to answer the allegations against him.” |
| Borgström added: | Borgström added: |
| That would have been the thing that should have happened, but he avoided that by going to the Ecuadorian embassy. | That would have been the thing that should have happened, but he avoided that by going to the Ecuadorian embassy. |
| From both women’s point of view, it would have been reasonable that he had to answer to what they say he has done to them. The Swedish courts have found it most probably that he has committed crimes against them, he was arrested on probable cause. | From both women’s point of view, it would have been reasonable that he had to answer to what they say he has done to them. The Swedish courts have found it most probably that he has committed crimes against them, he was arrested on probable cause. |
| The courts in Sweden, the district court, the court of appeal and the supreme court, have found it probable that he has committed what the prosecutors claimed. The whole case is left with that knowledge. | The courts in Sweden, the district court, the court of appeal and the supreme court, have found it probable that he has committed what the prosecutors claimed. The whole case is left with that knowledge. |
| He [Assange] decided to avoid the arms of justice. He didn’t want to come to court. He didn’t want to answer the allegations, so he decided to escape. | He [Assange] decided to avoid the arms of justice. He didn’t want to come to court. He didn’t want to answer the allegations, so he decided to escape. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.08pm BST | at 3.08pm BST |
| 2.33pm BST | 2.33pm BST |
| 14:33 | 14:33 |
| Julian Knowles, a Matrix chambers barrister who specialises in extradition says the US might to have to act swiftly if they want to arrest Assange. | Julian Knowles, a Matrix chambers barrister who specialises in extradition says the US might to have to act swiftly if they want to arrest Assange. |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 4 he said the complicating factor in Assange’s case is that he has committed a bail act offence by failing to surrender to court. He said | Speaking to BBC Radio 4 he said the complicating factor in Assange’s case is that he has committed a bail act offence by failing to surrender to court. He said |
| He has committed a criminal offence, so the Metropolitan police do have the power to arrest him for that, because there is a ordinary English criminal lay warrant outstanding for him. Whether they will do that, given the underlying predicate namely the Swedish rape allegation has fallen away remains to be seen. They [Scotland Yard] have made a statement saying they will deal with it proportionately, so I think they are hedging their bets at the moment. | He has committed a criminal offence, so the Metropolitan police do have the power to arrest him for that, because there is a ordinary English criminal lay warrant outstanding for him. Whether they will do that, given the underlying predicate namely the Swedish rape allegation has fallen away remains to be seen. They [Scotland Yard] have made a statement saying they will deal with it proportionately, so I think they are hedging their bets at the moment. |
| Warrants can always be withdrawn not every criminal offence gets prosecuted. So I would imagine there will be discussions going on between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service as to what to do about that domestic offence. | Warrants can always be withdrawn not every criminal offence gets prosecuted. So I would imagine there will be discussions going on between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service as to what to do about that domestic offence. |
| Asked about the US attempts to extradite Assange, Knowles said: | Asked about the US attempts to extradite Assange, Knowles said: |
| That is an unknown quantity. I couldn’t understand if the Americans wanted him why they didn’t take action some years ago. There was no logic in them waiting for the Swedish proceedings to take precedence because it just made things more complicated. On that basis I would wonder whether the US really do want him. But if they do they would have to move swiftly because if he is not proceeded against as a bail act offence, he’ll be a free man when he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy and he will be able to go anywhere in the world where he is lawfully able to go. | That is an unknown quantity. I couldn’t understand if the Americans wanted him why they didn’t take action some years ago. There was no logic in them waiting for the Swedish proceedings to take precedence because it just made things more complicated. On that basis I would wonder whether the US really do want him. But if they do they would have to move swiftly because if he is not proceeded against as a bail act offence, he’ll be a free man when he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy and he will be able to go anywhere in the world where he is lawfully able to go. |
| If the United States are interested in getting him they will have to first of all obtain a provisional warrant from the court here and that will then provide a basis of arrest. But whether they are going to do that, or have done that, is an unknown quantity at the moment. | If the United States are interested in getting him they will have to first of all obtain a provisional warrant from the court here and that will then provide a basis of arrest. But whether they are going to do that, or have done that, is an unknown quantity at the moment. |