Sweden’s Top Court Gives Julian Assange the Chance to Appeal Arrest Order
Sweden's Supreme Court has given WikiLeaks figure Julian Assange the green light to appeal allegations of sexual assault stemming from two incidents that allegedly took place in Enköping and Stockholm in 2010.
Reuters video still of Julian Assange
Reuters video still of Julian Assange
Sweden’s Supreme Court has given WikiLeaks figure Julian Assange the green light to appeal allegations of sexual assault stemming from two incidents that allegedly took place in the town of Enköping and in Stockholm in 2010.
The claims, about which Assange has maintained his innocence, introduced the potential threat of extradition to Sweden and the U.S. that compelled him to seek asylum in Ecuador’s embassy in London nearly three years ago. Whether or not this latest development represents a shift in Assange’s fortunes remains to be seen.
Al-Jazeera America brought word of the Swedish court’s decision Tuesday:
Even if Sweden drops the investigation, he faces arrest by British police for jumping bail granted while the British courts considered the European arrest warrant issued by Sweden.
“The Supreme Court grants leave to appeal in the matter regarding the arrest,” the court said in statement, which provided no date for when the appeal will be heard.
In November, Sweden’s appeals court denied an earlier appeal attempt by Assange. In March, however, prosecutors reconsidered their previous demand that he return to Sweden for questioning and agreed that he could conduct that step of the process in London.
–Posted by Kasia Anderson
Your support is crucial...As we navigate an uncertain 2025, with a new administration questioning press freedoms, the risks are clear: our ability to report freely is under threat.
Your tax-deductible donation enables us to dig deeper, delivering fearless investigative reporting and analysis that exposes the reality beneath the headlines — without compromise.
Now is the time to take action. Stand with our courageous journalists. Donate today to protect a free press, uphold democracy and uncover the stories that need to be told.
Ear to the Ground
The Wikileaks founder may be near the end of his long battle to avoid U.S. extradition.
In a case likely to affect others, the corporate giant is told to pay $572 million after state says it misstated drug's effects out of greed.
At issue is money approved by Congress for the Pentagon that was diverted during the national emergency. Two high-priority projects are halted.
A tale of justice delayed and denied, Bobby Joe Maxwell's case exposes a fatal flaw in our court system.
Matthew Charles, although he committed no new crime, is back behind bars, and his case is generating a widespread demand for his release.
Despite the rejection, lawyers for the WikiLeaks founder say they are encouraged by the judges' 4-1 split, which may indicate that the court will change its decision.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.