Assange and his supporters have denied the accusations, calling them part of an elaborate plot to silence WikiLeaks. Since publication of the latest round of documents began last week, the pressure has mounted on Assange, who was being sought internationally on an Interpol warrant, and on WikiLeaks itself, which is in a global battle to keep its financial and distribution system intact.
Assange, a 39-year-old Australian national, had been in hiding for weeks. In a video statement to the BBC, Assange's attorney, Mark Stephens, said Scotland Yard notified him late Monday that a valid Swedish arrest warrant had been delivered to British authorities, and that Stockholm was seeking his extradition. Under European law, extradition between two European Union members - such as Britain and Sweden - is faster, less legally complicated process, making any bid to overturn the extradition request difficult.
"We are in the process of making arrangements to meet with the police by consent," Stephens said.
His arrest comes as U.S. officials continue to investigate whether Assange can be charged in the United States for crimes related to the Wikileaks release of sensitive documents. U.S. officials expressed outrage Monday after WikiLeaks released a State Department cable that listed sites worldwide whose "loss" could "critically impact" the health, communications, economy or security of the United States. In addition to listing dams, bridges and mines, the cable identified specific factories that are key producers of vaccines and weapons parts.
The release of the list "is really irresponsible. It is tantamount to giving a group like al-Qaeda a targeting list," said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley.
In a warning to Swedish and U.S. authorities, however, Stephens said this weekend that his client was prepared to retaliate if charged. He said Assange might release the secret code - with a 256-bit encryption key - of a massive file quietly distributed this summer that contains thousands of un-redacted documents.
The allegations against Assange in Sweden stem from a trip he took there in August, during which he had brief relationships with two women, engaging in what he has since described as consensual sex.
Both women, according to Swedish authorities, have conceded that sex with Assange started as consensual but allege that it later became non-consensual. If convicted on the most serious of charges against him, Assange faces up to four years in prison.
Nilijua tu Assange lazma wata zaa naye, ananikumbusha mzee wa Utamu
ReplyDeleteHapo ni mikwara ya kumchakachua tu, hakuna lo lote jengine.
ReplyDeleteAmewasababishia damage kubwa kisaikolojia kwa hivyo wanataka kumdhalilisha ili apunguze kasi ya kutoa hiyo taarifa kwenye mtandao.
Baadae watamwambia hakuna ushahidi
madhali yupo mikononi ya waingereza hapa kutakuwa kuna mbinde ya kutosha. nawasifu sana serekali ya uingereza yanapotokea mambo kama haya. wako tofaut na marekani na mataifa mengine ambao sheria nikuvutia uande mmoja. imagine mapka leo jamaa kashaekewa dhamana ya elfu themanini pound na sio kama wengine wanamjua ni watu wakawaida tu hawana hata uhusiano.
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HII NI SAWA NA MGOMBEA WA UBUNGE WA CHADEMA ALIYETOKA CCM KISHA KUTIWA MKWARA WA ETI AMEIBA GARI, NA MWISHO WA SIKU POLISI WAKASEMA NAMBA ZA GARI ZILIFANANA! MIKWARA YA WAKUBWA WAKITAKA KUKUONESHA WAO NI NANI.
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