News Arrest warrant issued for Wikileaks founder, for sex crimes

[Galteeth]

Is that the case, or is the sausage making just ugly? I keep thinking this is just a case where nobody wants to hear the truth about the nature of politics and diplomacy.

I don't know the details of all information released. What I have heard about didn't strike me as unusual or irregular.

Many, many things revealed would be crimes, or things that raise suspicion of crimes.

 

[Galteeth]

There is of course the insurance policy which the government is very worried about; namely that if anything happens to him, he has threatened to release an encryption key for an extremely damaging document dump.

 

[BobG]

There is of course the insurance policy which the government is very worried about; namely that if anything happens to him, he has threatened to release an encryption key for an extremely damaging document dump.

Yes, that is a very interesting choice of insurance policies. If a country or organization wants to see that information, all they have to do is kill Assange?

Fortunately for Assange, he was arrested in London this morning.

 

[JaredJames]

In court this afternoon (GMT). Going to be a good show.

 

[WhoWee]

Blackmail is on par with any information he might be holding - IMO.

 

[zomgwtf]

hmmm it seems it's more than just a rape allegation but four.

She said the first complainant, Miss A, said she was victim of "unlawful coercion" on the night of 14 August in Stockholm.

The court heard Assange is accused of using his body weight to hold her down in a sexual manner.

The second charge alleged Assange "sexually molested" Miss A by having sex with her without a condom when it was her "express wish" one should be used.

The third charge claimed Assange "deliberately molested" Miss A on 18 August "in a way designed to violate her sexual integrity".

The fourth charge accused Assange of having sex with a second woman, Miss W, on 17 August without a condom while she was asleep at her Stockholm home.

Two different girls four different allegations I believe 3 separate occassions. This is pretty serious if you ask me.

 

[humanino]

Yes, that is a very interesting choice of insurance policies. If a country or organization wants to see that information, all they have to do is kill Assange?

You may not understand the logic because you do not understand his point of view. He obviously dedicated his life and became passionate to the point where he is not reasonable anymore. From this point of view, it does make sense (at least it may make sense to him) that if his life were to be terminated, he would at least want the insurance that the information is not lost. I think it is pretty clear that he has extreme ideologies.

 

[humanino]

hmmm it seems it's more than just a rape allegation but four.

Two different girls four different allegations I believe 3 separate occassions. This is pretty serious if you ask me.

The quote does not match the transcript I have seen. Can you please indicate where this quote comes from ?

 

[zomgwtf]

The quote does not match the transcript I have seen. Can you please indicate where this quote comes from ?

The quote is from the live feed at the Guardian.co.uk website. It's attributed to Gemma Linfield 'for the Swedish authorities.'

EDIT:
Actual I just google searched for the full quote and found articles. A lot all dated for today:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/07/julian-assange-refused-bail-over-rape-allegations

This is the one from the Guardian.

 

[Gokul43201]

I'm interested in the source too, not that I have any reason to not believe it.

From what I read (although I think this was from Assange's lawyer) the two women maintained good relations with Assange after the alleged incidents had taken place, and until they found out about the other's existence. That was when they pressed charges.

Edit: Here's the link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/18/assange_detain_sweden/

And the quote:

Both women have declared that they had consensual sexual relations with our client and that they continued to instigate friendly contact well after the alleged incidents. Only after the women became aware of each other’s relationships with Mr. Assange did they make their allegations against him.

Whether it's true or not, I don't know, but I imagine that's just a matter of checking the records.

 

[zomgwtf]

I'm interested in the source too, not that I have any reason to not believe it.

From what I read (although I think this was from Assange's lawyer) the two women maintained good relations with Assange after the alleged incidents had taken place, and until they found out about the other's existence. That was when they pressed charges.

Edit: Here's the link: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/18/assange_detain_sweden/

And the quote:Whether it's true or not, I don't know, but I imagine that's just a matter of checking the records.

So it's a statement from his people saying that he didn't rape them but they both were in good relations after the event until after they found out about each other. This is likely but it's also not surprising that he would say he didn't rape the girls... is it? This is why he needs to be arrested evidence brought forth and go through the proper process. Just because you say you're innocent doesn't mean you get to run away from the law.

 

[Gokul43201]

I don't have an opinion on whether or not he should be arrested. I'm not privy to the level of information that would allow me to take a position on that. But given the sequence and confluence of events, I believe there's reason to be suspicious of the way things are proceeding.

 

[zomgwtf]

I don't have an opinion on whether or not he should be arrested. I'm not privy to the level of information that would allow me to take a position on that. But given the sequence and confluence of events, I believe there's reason to be suspicious of the way things are proceeding.

Perhaps but the only way to know is as things unfold in the case right?

I tend to think it's less suspicious based on the fact that these two girls are just regular people. They aren't government officials and I'm not sure that the government would trust them in a conspiracy against Assange. I mean 'keep quiet say he raped you and we'll give you money'... but all it would take is for one person to speak out that is part of this case. I lean more towards the rape allegations are a separate event and hope that Sweden is just following through based on the popularity that Assange has gained.

I don't think it would look good on the Swedish legal system if two girls came alleging rape and they didn't invetigate properly. (based on how famous Assange is)

BTW, I posted the source for that quote from before above, you posted right after so I'm not sure if you noticed it.

 

[Gokul43201]

Yes, I saw it after I posted. I guess I'd have been a lot less suspicious if the case hadn't first been dismissed by the lead prosecutor, before being reopened a week later, with no new charges. But yes, we won't know until events pan out.

 

[humanino]

The quote is from the live feed at the Guardian.co.uk website. It's attributed to Gemma Linfield 'for the Swedish authorities.'

EDIT:
Actual I just google searched for the full quote and found articles. A lot all dated for today:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/07/julian-assange-refused-bail-over-rape-allegations

This is the one from the Guardian.

Thank you. I will read it later today.

 

[mugaliens]

hmmm it seems it's more than just a rape allegation but four.

Two different girls four different allegations I believe 3 separate occassions. This is pretty serious if you ask me.

Who knows? Might be. Might not be. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/assange-rape-accuser-cia-ties/" , including that at least one of the girls texted and tweeted about her conquest. Then came questions of a possible CIA link. Then chaos and confusion.

Perhaps that's by design of Assange's lawyers. Perhaps it's by design of one or more of the governments whose classified info was leaked. Perhaps it's merely the natural order of things, entropy doing it's worst during times of a heated issue, with emotions running high on most sides.

We can't really know, at this point, as we're on the outside.

In the meantime, as time goes by, at least some of the truth will come out in the wash. My viewpoint as a retired veteran is that Assange, who is undeniably known to have released damaging, classified information into the public domain, is off the streets, at least for the time being, and in my book, that's a good thing.

My sole hope is that ultimately, the truth will out and justice will prevail based on the truth, not any of the rampant smear campaigns.

 

[CRGreathouse]

My sole hope is that ultimately, the truth will out and justice will prevail based on the truth, not any of the rampant smear campaigns.

That would be hard to imagine.

 

[turbo]

That would be hard to imagine.

Agreed. Assange has already been pilloried and publicly smeared in the press, without a single hearing or trial. Even if the charges against him are dropped today, any Google search on Assange will pull up "rape" and "sexual assault" for the rest of his life.

 

[WhoWee]

Agreed. Assange has already been pilloried and publicly smeared in the press, without a single hearing or trial. Even if the charges against him are dropped today, any Google search on Assange will pull up "rape" and "sexual assault" for the rest of his life.

Are we really concerned about his public image?

Did he take the time to verify all of the information that he released (as a legitimate press would be expected to do) - was he worried about anyone else's reputation?

 

[mheslep]

http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/08/berkeley-may-honor-army-private-accused-of-leaks/#ixzz17eCyxEId"

The Berkeley City Council will consider a resolution that would declare the Army private suspected of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks a hero and call for his release.

If PFC Manning had been found guilty, I'd say the fine Berkeley Councilmen are also guilty of treason.

 

[WhoWee]

http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/08/berkeley-may-honor-army-private-accused-of-leaks/#ixzz17eCyxEId"

If PFC Manning had been found guilty, I'd say the fine Berkeley Councilmen are also guilty of treason.

I doubt if this surprises anyone. I recall a thread a few weeks ago where we discussed why it was acceptable to ban the US Flag in public schools (so it didn't enrage people not of American origins).

In a way, I'm glad this lunacy is coming out - we have 2 more years of Obama - then we can take our country back from the Far Left Side (hmmm...hmmmmm-shhh ...I'm chanting).

 

[Gokul43201]

Naturally, Obama is to blame for the decision of the Berkeley Council.

 

[mheslep]

I doubt if this surprises anyone. I recall a thread a few weeks ago where we discussed why it was acceptable to ban the US Flag in public schools (so it didn't enrage people not of American origins).

In a way, I'm glad this lunacy is coming out - we have 2 more years of Obama - then we can take our country back from the Far Left Side (hmmm...hmmmmm-shhh ...I'm chanting).

Don't count me among your 'we', as the Berkley Council does not control the country, and though I disagree with him on most things, nor has the President announced any hero awards for Manning.

 

[WhoWee]

Don't count me among your 'we', as the Berkley Council does not control the country, and though I disagree with him on most things, nor has the President announced any hero awards for Manning.

I didn't expect you would (join the "we").

As for the President, time will tell. It seems we are accumulating a plateful of controversial cases - including Fort Hood. Maybe his (Clinton-like) move to the center will insulate him?

 

[encorp]

I'm sorry if this has been said earlier in the thread: I am busy and unable to read the entire thing.

As far as I'm aware, Julian Assange definitely had consensual sex with these women, but the grey area I believe is surrounding the use (or lack thereof) a condom. I believe in Switzerland this is a touchy subject.

 

[NobodySpecial]

As far as I'm aware, Julian Assange definitely had consensual sex with these women, but the grey area I believe is surrounding the use (or lack thereof) a condom.

The argument is something like that the women agreed to sex with a condom - the condom failed so technically he didn't hold up (snigger) his part of the bargain - so the sex wasn't as agreed therefore non-consensual - therefore rape.
Unsurprisingly this isn't the first time this has happened in the land of Abba - although it is the first time that has prompted an international arrest warrant.

I believe in Switzerland this is a touchy subject.

Possibly but since this happened in Sweden it probably doesn't matter what a bunch of chocolate eating not-even-getting involved monkeys think.

 

[encorp]

The argument is something like that the women agreed to sex with a condom - the condom failed so technically he didn't hold up (snigger) his part of the bargain - so the sex wasn't as agreed therefore non-consensual - therefore rape.
Unsurprisingly this isn't the first time this has happened in the land of Abba - although it is the first time that has prompted an international arrest warrant.



Possibly but since this happened in Sweden it probably doesn't matter what a bunch of chocolate eating not-even-getting involved monkeys think is irrelevent.

Ops! I wonder how I typed Switzerland? Hehe

Thanks for the clarifications, however.

 

[Proton Soup]

The argument is something like that the women agreed to sex with a condom - the condom failed so technically he didn't hold up (snigger) his part of the bargain - so the sex wasn't as agreed therefore non-consensual - therefore rape.
Unsurprisingly this isn't the first time this has happened in the land of Abba - although it is the first time that has prompted an international arrest warrant.

there was also an allegation of having sex with one of the women while she was sleeping.

 

[mheslep]

The argument is something like that the women agreed to sex with a condom - the condom failed so technically he didn't hold up (snigger) his part of the bargain - so the sex wasn't as agreed therefore non-consensual - therefore rape.

That's the story to Assange's lawyer, not any other neutral party and certainly not from the prosecutor.

 

[WhoWee]

The details of his sex life with apparent "wikileaks groupies" is nothing but a distraction - he needs to be let out on bail - put him back on the street and watch his actions closely.