Arrest warrant issued for Wikileaks founder, for sex crimes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the arrest warrant issued for Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, in connection with allegations of sex crimes in Sweden. Participants explore the implications of the warrant, the context of the charges, and the potential motivations behind them, as well as the broader impact on freedom of the press and whistleblowing activities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants speculate on the timing of the charges, suggesting they may be politically motivated rather than based on legitimate legal concerns.
  • There is discussion about the provenance of the leaked documents, with references to Bradley Manning as a key figure in the leaks.
  • Questions are raised about the legal processes involved in charging a non-U.S. citizen for actions taken outside of the charging country.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the allegations against Assange, suggesting that the charges could be a setup or part of a larger effort to silence him.
  • Others note that Assange is currently wanted for questioning, not formal charges, and emphasize the distinction between the two.
  • Concerns are voiced about the potential consequences for Assange, including speculation about his safety and the possibility of him being targeted by governments.
  • Some participants highlight the ethical implications of the allegations, questioning whether the women involved were pressured to make claims against Assange.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no clear consensus on the motivations behind the charges or the legitimacy of the allegations. Multiple competing perspectives remain, particularly regarding the implications for freedom of speech and the nature of the legal proceedings.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the legal framework for international warrants and the specifics of the charges against Assange. Additionally, the discussion reflects varying interpretations of the events leading up to the warrant and the motivations of involved parties.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in legal issues surrounding whistleblowing, international law, and the intersection of journalism and criminal allegations may find this discussion relevant.

  • #91
mheslep said:
That's the story to Assange's lawyer, not any other neutral party and certainly not from the prosecutor.
Until there is a justice decision, it is certainly not up to PF members whether Assange's or the prosecutor's story is true.
 
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  • #92
humanino said:
Until there is a justice decision, it is certainly not up to PF members whether Assange's or the prosecutor's story is true.

Of course not - perhaps this thread should be closed?
 
  • #93
WhoWee said:
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.

He can't be let out on bail according to the law. That's his own fault.
 
  • #94
From Sweden's Penal Code
A person who by violence or threat which involves, or appears to
the threatened person to involve an imminent danger, forces another
person to have sexual intercourse or to engage in a comparable
sexual act, that having regard to the nature of the violation and the
circumstances in general, is comparable to enforced sexual
intercourse, shall be sentenced for rape to imprisonment for at least
two and at most six years. Causing helplessness or a similar state of
incapacitation shall be regarded as equivalent to violence.
If having regard to the nature of the violence or the threat and
the circumstances in general, the crime is considered less serious, a
sentence to imprisonment for at most four years shall be imposed.
If the crime is gross, a sentence to imprisonment for at least four
and at most ten years shall be imposed for gross rape. In assessing
whether the crime is gross, special consideration shall be given to
whether the violence involved a danger to life or whether the
perpetrator caused serious injury or serious illness or, having regard
to the method used or the victim's youth or other circumstances,
exhibited particular ruthlessness or brutality. (Law 1998:393)
Section 2
A person who, under circumstances other than those defined in
Section 1, makes someone engage in a sexual act by unlawful
coercion shall be sentenced for sexual coercion to imprisonment for
at most two years.
If the person who committed the act exhibited particular
ruthlessness or if the crime is otherwise considered gross, a sentence
of at least six months and at most four years shall be imposed for
gross sexual coercion. (Law 1992:147)
I am only posting this because there seems to be several myths floating around the internet about various rape or surprise sex or what have you laws.

It appears there are 3 levels of rape and 2 levels of sexual coercion. Regular, lesser and gross for rape and regular and gross for sexual coercion.

I think that Assange under these allegations would be chaarged for lesser rape and gross sexual coercion. This would be max 4 years and 6mths to 4 years respectively.
 
  • #95
WhoWee said:
Of course not - perhaps this thread should be closed?
It is neither for me not for you to tell. Either of us could report the other however. On my part, I guess staying away from the discussion should do just fine.

Fortunately for me, I speak other languages, which allows me to benefit as well from non-US point of views and reports.
 
  • #96
humanino said:
Fortunately for me, I speak other languages, which allows me to benefit as well from non-US point of views and reports.
I don't do as well as you do, but there are enough posts to allow me to get some glimpses from outside the US.
 
  • #97
humanino said:
Until there is a justice decision, it is certainly not up to PF members whether Assange's or the prosecutor's story is true.
Yes well the place to put that comment was after the introduction of the story by Nobody above, where it was given as a neutral narrative without attribution.
 
  • #98
Julian Assange is asking, "Why has no evidence been provided even to me and my defense attorneys?" (regarding the sex crimes).

I think they have to provide the evidence only inside the court room. So it might be ok not to provide evidences to Julian Assange or his defense attorneys. But I wonder what evidence the "rape victim"'s side come up with. The incident had no witnesses (it was no orgy party).
 
  • #99
jobyts said:
Julian Assange is asking, "Why has no evidence been provided even to me and my defense attorneys?" (regarding the sex crimes).

I think they have to provide the evidence only inside the court room. So it might be ok not to provide evidences to Julian Assange or his defense attorneys. But I wonder what evidence the "rape victim"'s side come up with. The incident had no witnesses (it was no orgy party).
Have any sources?
 

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