Sweden drops Assange rape investigation after nearly 10 years
STOCKHOLM - A Swedish prosecutor dropped a rape investigation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, ending the near decade-old case that had sent the anti-secrecy campaigner into hiding in London's Ecuadorian embassy to avoid extradition.
Although the prosecutor's decision can be appealed, it probably closes the case, which was launched in 2010. The accuser's lawyer said she was studying whether to appeal it. Assange skipped bail in Britain to avoid possible extradition and took refuge in the embassy in 2012. He was dragged out by police in April this year, and is now in jail fighting extradition to the United States on computer hacking and espionage charges unveiled after he left the embassy.
While Assange was in the embassy, the statute of limitations ran out on investigating all but one of several Swedish sex crime complaints originally filed by two women. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson reopened the remaining case after Assange left the embassy, but she said on Tuesday the passage of time meant there was not enough evidence to indict Assange.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Swedish prosecutor drops Assange rape investigationSwedish prosecutors said Tuesday they have dropped their investigation into jailed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over a 2010 rape allegation.
Read more »
Police warn against reporting false cases of rape after woman charged with perjury | IOL NewsA 21-year-old woman, who is now a suspect, went to Benoni Police Station in Ekurhuleni and alleged that she had been raped by her stepfather.
Read more »
Matric pupil held after video of girl's rape at party is shared with learners | IOL NewsA 17-year-old Grade 12 pupil at a Mossel Bay high school has been arrested for the rape of a Grade 11 girl at a party after a video of the incident circulated among local teens.
Read more »
Welkom cop sentenced to 60 years imprisonment for killing family members | IOL NewsThe 32-year-old former Welkom Flying Squad member was sentenced in the Kroonstad High Court to 60 years in jail for the murder of his aunt and nephew.
Read more »
Ex-Atlantis control prosecutor sentenced for child pornography, sexual assaultDawid Lotz, 44, entered into a plea agreement with the State and was sentenced to a 10-year jail term, of which three years were suspended for five years,
Read more »
New York exhibition details 10-year hunt for Bin Laden'Revealed: The Hunt for Bin Laden' plots the ten-year search for the brains behind the single deadliest attack ever on the United States.
Read more »