EFE 06/04/2019

EFE - SWEDEN ASSANGE - Sweden refuses to issue arrest warrant against Assange for rape

Copenhagen, June 3 (EFE).- A Swedish court rejected a request from prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant in absentia against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Monday over an allegation of rape. A ruling stated that it would not be proportionate to order his arrest in relation to the accusation, which dates back to 2010, as it is possible to question him with a European criminal investigation order. It added that the Australian citizen remains a suspect in the case, which was closed two years ago and reopened in May. Assange is in custody in a British prison after he was arrested in April at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. The 47-year-old was evicted from the building last month after he sought asylum there in 2012. He is also facing an extradition request from the United States where he is accused of 18 charges which mostly relate to obtaining and disseminating classified information over the publishing of military documents. EFE alc/rb/ch -- EPA-EFE Multimedia Desk, Madrid +34 913 467 493