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Julian Assange 'disappointed' as sex assault case dropped Julian Assange 'disappointed' as sex assault case dropped
(35 minutes later)
Swedish prosecutors have dropped their investigation into sexual assault allegations against Julian Assange because they were "time barred". Swedish prosecutors have dropped their investigation into sexual assault claims against Julian Assange because they ran out of time to question him.
The Wikileaks founder said he was "extremely disappointed" and said the Swedish prosecutor had avoided hearing his side of the story.The Wikileaks founder said he was "extremely disappointed" and said the Swedish prosecutor had avoided hearing his side of the story.
Prosecutors ran out of time to question and bring charges against Mr Assange. The Australian journalist and activist denies all allegations and has said they are part of a smear campaign.
The Australian journalist and activist, who denies all allegations, still faces the more serious accusation of rape. He still faces the more serious accusation of rape.
He sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, fearing he would then be sent to the US for questioning about the activities of Wikileaks. Mr Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, fearing he would then be sent to the US and put on trial for releasing secret American documents.
He remains in the embassy and has previously said he will not leave, even if the accusations of sex crimes were dropped.
Under Swedish law, charges cannot be laid without interviewing the suspect.Under Swedish law, charges cannot be laid without interviewing the suspect.
'Unacceptable' 'Ongoing negotiations'
Mr Assange said he was innocent and claimed prosecutors had refused to visit him at the embassy. "There was no need for any of this. I am an innocent man. I haven't even been charged," said Mr Assange.
They also refused to promise not to send him to the US if he were to go to Sweden, he said. "From the beginning I offered simple solutions. Come to the embassy to take my statement or promise not to send me to the United States. This Swedish official refused both. She even refused a written statement."
Mr Assange said: "I am strong but the cost to my family is unacceptable." He added: "I am strong but the cost to my family is unacceptable."
A statement from the Swedish prosecutors said their director of public prosecution Marianne Nye had discontinued her investigation with respect to alleged sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. However, Sweden's director of public prosecution Marianne Nye said a request to interview Mr Assange inside the embassy had been submitted but permission was yet to be granted.
An additional alleged incident of sexual molestation will be "time barred" on 18 August. She said she hoped to arrange an interview as there were "ongoing negotiations" between Sweden and Ecuador.
The Swedish statement said an incident of suspected rape will be "time barred" on 17 August 2020 and the investigation would continue. A statement from Swedish prosecutors said Ms Nye had discontinued her investigation into alleged sexual molestation and unlawful coercion.
An additional alleged incident of sexual molestation will be "time barred" - that is, time will have run out to question Mr Assange - on 18 August.
The Swedish statement also said an allegation of rape was due to expire on 17 August 2020, but that investigation would continue.
The alleged events took place in August 2010.The alleged events took place in August 2010.
'Terrible injustice'
Labour peer and human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy, a member of Mr Assange's legal team, said: "Why in all those five years did the Swedish prosecution authorities fail to come to London to question Assange, as was repeatedly offered?
"Julian Assange has spent more time incarcerated in the small rooms of the embassy, with no access to fresh air or exercise and contrary to international law, than he could ever spend in a Swedish prison on these allegations."
Mr Assange's mother Christine said: "I have privately shed many tears for many years - the terrible injustice of it all."
The cost of policing the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge for the past three years now stands at around £12m ($18.8m; €16.8m).