- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

He's Never Been Charged: WikiLeaks Smacks Down Cameron Over Assange Claims

© Photo : Thierry EhrmannJulian Assange
Julian Assange - Sputnik International
Subscribe
WikiLeaks has hit back at British Prime Minister David Cameron for spreading incorrect information after the PM claimed that Julian Assange was "being asked to stand trial in Sweden."

Cameron was addressing MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday when asked about UN's panel decision last week, which ruled that Assange's stay in the Ecuadorian embassy amounted to "arbitrary detention."

"What he should do is come out of that embassy and face the arrest warrant that is against him," Cameron told MPs. "He is being asked to stand trial in Sweden, a country with a fair reputation for justice and he should bring to an end this whole sorry saga."

The prime minister slammed the UN panel's decision as "ridiculous" and called on the 44-year-old to bring an end to the ordeal.

"I think this was a ridiculous decision. You've got a man here with an outstanding allegation of rape against him. He barricaded himself into the Ecuadorian embassy and yet claims he was arbitrarily detained. The only person who detained himself was himself."

WikiLeaks took to Twitter to hit back at Cameron's claims, saying that Assange "hasn't ever been charged" and is therefore, not currently "being asked to stand trial" as Cameron suggested.

Legal Situation

The incident isn't the first time there has been confusion over the WikiLeaks founder's legal situation, with Assange last year stating that he was considering taking up legal action against then UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who during a radio interview claimed that the Australian had been "charged" with a crime.

Swedish prosecutors have issued a European arrest warrant for Assange over the rape allegations, which relate to an alleged incident in August 2010, when he was in Stockholm delivering a lecture. 

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a copy of a U.N. ruling as he makes a speech from the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy, in central London, Britain February 5, 2016. - Sputnik International
The Assange Saga: 'Victory of Historical Importance' for Wikileaks Founder

In June 2012, after the UK Supreme Court upheld previous rulings that Assange should be extradited to Sweden for questioning over the allegations, the Australian entered London's Ecuadorian embassy and applied for asylum, which he was later granted.

Assange, Ecuadorian officials and Swedish prosecutors have so far failed to come to an agreement to question the 44-year-old in the embassy.

Assange has agreed to answer questions in London, but has refused to travel to Sweden to do so amid fears he may end up being seconded to the US over his role in the leaking of secret military cables via WikiLeaks.

At present he has not been formally charged with any offence, with Swedish officials issuing an extradition request so he may be questioned.

In Sweden, charging comes much later in the process of a criminal investigation than it does in many other countries.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала