Two days after giving his first official statement to Swedish prosecutors in relation to the rape case which has resulted in Julian Assange’s self-inflicted exile in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and at a time when speculation is growing whether Trump may grant a pardon or amnesty to the Wikileaks founder, lawyers for Julian Assange have said they may ask US President-elect Donald Trump to close the criminal investigation into the WikiLeaks founder, amid hope that Sweden will also soon close the probe into allegations of sexual assault, AAP reproted.
The Obama administration launched a criminal investigation into WikiLeaks in 2010, following the publication of documents about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars provided by whistleblower Private Bradley Manning.
According to Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, Assange had been under criminal investigation in the US for his publishing work with WikiLeaks since 2010 under the Obama administration. “During that time we have repeatedly called for the investigation to be closed on the grounds it violates the First Amendment , and places a chill on freedom of speech and reporting. “Through US counsel, we had reached out to the Obama administration, most recently just a few months ago, and we will continue to do so with future US administrations until the investigation is closed.”
Sweden made a request for Assange’s extradition in November 2010, due to a criminal complaint filed by two women who accused him of sexual assault. Assange has denied all culpability.
The Wikileaks founder faces potential charges over trysts with the two women, during a visit to Stockholm to give a public speech in August 2010. Initial accusations were dropped after the statute of limitations expired, but the rape charge is valid until 2020, and could result in a sentence of up to six years in prison.
Assange then sought asylum in Ecuador, and has been trapped at the country’s embassy in London since June 2012. He finally spoke with Swedish investigators on Monday.
“The results of the interview will later be reported from Ecuador to the Swedish prosecutors in a written statement. After this report, the prosecutors will take a view on the continuation of the investigation,” the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement.
Robinson added the WikiLeaks founder had co-operated fully with the interview and hopes the Swedish prosecutor will give “impartial and objective” consideration so the matter can be closed.
Trump has yet to many any public statement on his views on either Wikileaks or Julian Assange.
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