Interpol has added WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to its international list of most wanted persons, Interpol said on its website on Wednesday.
"Interpol has made public the Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the request of Swedish authorities who want to question him in connection with a number of sexual offences," Interpol said.
The alert to all 188 member states was issued on November 20, but was made publicly available only after being officially authorized by Swedish authorities. Interpol National Central Bureaus were tasked with ensuring that local border security structures are aware of Assange's status.
An Interpol "red notice" is equivalent in meaning to an international arrest warrant and any member state that knows the whereabouts of an individual on the list is required to arrest him.
The 39-year-old Australian activist is wanted by Swedish authorities who suspect him of being tied to several sex-related crimes, including rape and molestation.
Whistleblower website WikiLeaks recently made public more than 250,000 confidential U.S. cables, which contain harsh comments about many world leaders.
According to one document leaked from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev "plays Robin" to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's "Batman." Another document called Medvedev "pale and hesitant" in comparison to "Alpha-dog" Putin.
MOSCOW, December 1 (RIA Novosti)
