Sweden drops Julian Assange rape investigation

Swedish Prosecutors have dropped an investigation into a rape allegation made against Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange in 2010.

The Swedish investigation had been shelved in 2017 but was re-opened earlier this year following his eviction from the embassy.

The US is still seeking Assange’s extradition from the UK over his alleged role in the release of classified military and diplomatic material by Wikileaks in 2010.

The 48-year-old Australian was evicted from the Embassy in April and sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for breaching his bail conditions.

He is currently being held at Belmarsh prison in London.

Who is Julian Assange?

The US are also after Edward Joseph Snowden who escaped America after  whistleblowing  and leaking highly classified information from the National Security Agency in 2013 when he was a Central Intelligence Agency employee and subcontractor.

What did the prosecutors say?

Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson took the decision to “discontinue the investigation regarding Julian Assange”, the Swedish Prosecution Authority said.

“The reason for this decision is that the evidence has weakened considerably due to the long period of time that has elapsed since the events in question,” it added.

Ms Persson said: “I would like to emphasise that the injured party has submitted a credible and reliable version of events.

“Her statements have been coherent, extensive and detailed; however, my overall assessment is that the evidential situation has been weakened to such an extent that that there is no longer any reason to continue the investigation.”

Separately, the prosecutors held a news briefing in the Swedish capital Stockholm, saying that the decision to drop the inquiry had been taken after interviews with seven witnesses in the case.

Reaction from supports of Assange have been that it was a rouse to get home removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy where he was protected under international laws.

So it is of no surprise it was dropped.

Further updates will come over the next few days in the news.