Assange Rape Charges Dropped

Swedish prosecutors last week decided to drop their seven-year investigation into rape allegations levied against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. That case led Assange to take refuge in the Ecuadoran Embassy in London in 2012, where he has lived since. British police say Assange would still face arrest for jumping bail if he left the embassy. “Today is an important victory,” Assange said to journalists gathered outside the embassy. “Seven years without charge, while my children grew up without me. That is not something I can forgive. It is not something that I can forget.” Assange’s accuser said it was a “scandal” that the case was not tried in court. Assange needs diplomatic protection to avoid extradition to the United States to face charges of disclosing confidential military and diplomatic documents. It is not known if there is a standing U.S. extradition order for Assange. But, though President Donald Trump said “We love WikiLeaks,” while on the campaign trail, Attorney General Jeff Sessions last month said he was stepping up efforts to arrest Assange as part of a broader fight against leakers.