Britain asks Sweden for more details on Assange allegations
CNN Wire Staff
London, England (CNN) - British police asked Swedish authorities Thursday for additional details not specified in an initial arrest warrant for Julian Assange, a possible indication that the location of the elusive founder of WikiLeaks is known.
The fact that British police are seeking more information probably means there is a procedural problem preventing them from arresting Assange, said an U.S. expert on extradition. The additional details could provide them with a valid warrant.
"They either know where he is or they have been watching him," said Douglas McNabb, a lawyer who specializes in federal criminal defense law and extradition cases. "There's some legal problem there."
Assange is wanted in Sweden for sex-crime allegations that are not related to WikiLeaks. Meanwhile, the website continued publishing confidential diplomatic information that has been stirring up all corners of the world.
Assange, who has said he has long feared retribution for his website's disclosures, has denied the sex-crime allegations, calling them a smear campaign.
Despite the warrant and an Interpol red notice, akin to an all-points bulletin, Assange has so far eluded arrest, making him one of the world's most wanted fugitives.
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Filed under: 360° Radar |
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I usually love the show, but why has AC360 given so much coverage to the allegations against Assange and almost none to the very important, even devastating information in the released documents themselves? And why no interview with one of his attorneys, as Democracy Now was able to get–in which his attorney said that he was in England and in touch with authorities, not on the run or hiding? Covering the allegations against him is fair, but please don't ignore the information itself, such as the GOP and the administration working together to stop the Spanish government from prosecuting former Bush administration officials for torture. As a regular viewer of the show, I expect more of Anderson and CNN.
If Assange is in the UK and can be arrested then Under UK laws of " aiding and abetting terrorists" he could also be charged by UK authorities, and also potentially Under the "official secrets act" for revealing " secret " ( provided they were originally so classified) communications between the UK Foreign Office or Embassy to the US Embassies or US state department. All they would have to prove was he was involved directly or indirectly in gathering the data and involved in deciding its release. The smart bit of getting it out to Newspapers first does not work under the above UK laws I'm told by a UK lawyer friend. All in the chain would have varying levels of risk including the Newspapers in UK, elsewhere not so sure.
Regards,
Hodgson.
The attack on this guy is so pathetic I cannot believe that the media does not see how they are being manipulated to discredit this guy who just embarrassed the USA government. Anderson you even looked suspicious at these charges that just happen to come out now and please keep them honest I think you will find a story when you look into who called Sweeden to pursue charges against him who has that power to influence another country that way sounds like Hillary has been calling in favors. Thanks
If the guy feared retribution then why did he publish the leaked documents? Is he so narcissistic that he would risk foreign relations and peace for his own advancement & publicity?