Asange "rape" case

[Moses]

Wow, this is a huge farce if just half of these claims are true
http://slatest.slate.com/id/2276690/

When Interpol issued an arrest warrant earlier this week for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the international police agency charged him with "sex crimes" but didn't specify the offense any further, prompting rumors that he had been accused of rape. He hadn't. "It turns out," Washington's Blog reports, that "it was for violating an obscure Swedish law against having sex without a condom." During a business trip to Stockholm last August, Assange had unprotected sex with two women (a bizarre and painfully detailed account is available on the Daily Mail's Web site) who upon realizing that they had both slept with him—and that he had blown them both off—jointly approached police about his refusal to take an STD test. At the time, Assange's Swedish lawyer confirmed that "the principal concern the women had about Assange's behavior … related to his lack of interest in using condoms and his refusal to undergo testing, at the women's request, for sexually transmitted disease." (Assange actually did use a condom with one of the women, but it broke.) This, apparently, is hazy legal territory in Sweden. While the "consent of both women to sex with Assange has been confirmed by prosecutors," as a former attorney wrote in an impassioned op-ed, Assange has been charged with something called "sex by surprise," which reportedly carries a $715 fine. According to Assange's London attorney, Mark Stephens, prosecutors have yet to explain the charges or meet with the WikiLeaks chief to discuss them, which he's agreed to do. "Whatever 'sex by surprise' is, it's only an offense in Sweden—not in the U.K. or the U.S. or even Ibiza," Stephens fumed. "I feel as if I'm in a surreal Swedish movie being threatened by bizarre trolls."

Further reading: http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/12/02...the-swedes-are-making-it-up-as-they-go-along/

 

[sevenpointdropgoal]

An Interpol red notice for a crime that carries a $715 fine. Interesting.

 

[Joe Mac]

Wow, they really have been portraying him as a heinous rapist. This is hilarious. No wonder Sweden have failed to fill in the interpol report so that he can be arrested.

 

[Gagger]

I guess this is what happens when you fuck just about every seriously powerful person in the world, as well as two blonde bimbos.

I'm not liking the end of Julian's life story. Could wind up with the re-opening of Gitmo for one special prisoner

 

[RugbyFuture]

its such a setup

 

[Joe Mac]

Could wind up with the re-opening of Gitmo for one special prisoner

Will make for a good movie though

 

[Ash]

Well, the fact that the Swedish police had already dropped the rape charges as they had discovered it was rubbish should have set off alarm bells.

You can bet what will happen: he'll be flown back to Sweden, then immediately hit with an extradition order to the US. The Republicans in the US are already calling for a change in laws retrospectively so they can charge him.

 

[cheezel]

Not sure how accurate this story is, but it seems pretty ridiculous if true

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1307137/Supporters-dismissed-rape-accusations-WikiLeaks-founder-Julian-Assange--women-involved-tell-different-story.html

 

[Scarfman]

Whatever anyone thinks of Assange, it's the same deal as with Hicks. The US and its friends' reaction to 9/11 has taken a terrible toll on democracy and the rule of law.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think Assange is a knob, but I reckon he's being set up here. Those charges seem awfully flimsy. He pisses a lot of people off and I'm not just talking about national governments -- he just generally pisses people off. I read an article about him recently where others have described this case as a bit of payback for upsetting one or two of the ladies.

 

[barbarian]

It's not the same deal as Hicks at all. Hicks was caught in Afghanistan trying to fight alongside the Taliban against US and Australian forces. I am not fully on top of the legal issues but to say that is the same as Assange (who has not broken any laws from his desk in London) is ludicrous.

The only similarity is that America is trying to prosecute him on sketchy grounds.

I personally have lost a bit of respect for Assange after this latest round of leaks. Where the first documents were in the public interest (details of potential war crimes etc), this latest stuff is the equivalent of a political gossip rag, and will needlessly harm diplomatic relations. Where the first leaks contributed to making the world a better place, I don't think you could say this round does at all.

 

[Scarfman]

My understanding is that Hicks didn't break any laws either, excpet for laws invented by the US military.

However, the similarity lies in that the rule of law is not being applied. The Australian government put the interests of the US ahead of its responsibility to one of its citizens. The Hicks case has set a precedence where the US can call on Australia to abandon its citizens whenever asked.

 

[Moses]

My understanding is that Hicks didn't break any laws either, excpet for laws invented by the US military.

However, the similarity lies in that the rule of law is not being applied. The Australian government put the interests of the US ahead of its responsibility to one of its citizens. The Hicks case has set a precedence where the US can call on Australia to abandon its citizens whenever asked.

It would appear the tide of public opinion may be turning on this stance of 'our' government


http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/41914.html

Editor's note: There’s no doubt that WikiLeaks and its figurehead-on-the-run Julian Assange are among the hottest items for discussion on the planet right now.

Feelings are running high, and many in this country take the view that the Australian Government ought do more to assist its vilified, beleaguered citizen.

Assange has become a cause celebre, as evidenced by the signatories to this open letter, a who’s who of sorts, from Noam Chomsky to Helen Garner...

We wrote the letter below because we believe that Julian Assange is entitled to all the protections enshrined in the rule of law – and that the Australian Government has an obligation to ensure he receives them.

The signatures here have been collected in the course of a day-and-a-half, primarily from people in publishing, law and politics. The signatories hold divergent views about WikiLeaks and its operations. But they are united in a determination to see Mr Assange treated fairly.

We know that many others would have liked to sign. But given the urgency of the situation, we though it expedient to publish now rather than collect more names.

If, however, you agree with the sentiments expressed, we encourage you to leave your name in the comments section.

Dear Prime Minister,

We note with concern the increasingly violent rhetoric directed towards Julian Assange of WikiLeaks.

“We should treat Mr Assange the same way as other high-value terrorist targets: Kill him,” writes conservative columnist Jeffrey T Kuhner in the Washington Times.

William Kristol, former chief of staff to vice president Dan Quayle, asks, “Why can’t we use our various assets to harass, snatch or neutralize Julian Assange and his collaborators, wherever they are?”

“Why isn’t Julian Assange dead?” writes the prominent US pundit Jonah Goldberg.

“The CIA should have already killed Julian Assange,” says John Hawkins on the Right Wing News site.

Sarah Palin, a likely presidential candidate, compares Assange to an Al Qaeda leader; Rick Santorum, former Pennsylvania senator and potential presidential contender, accuses Assange of “terrorism”.

And so on and so forth.

Such calls cannot be dismissed as bluster. Over the last decade, we have seen the normalisation of extrajudicial measures once unthinkable, from ‘extraordinary rendition’ (kidnapping) to ‘enhanced interrogation’ (torture).

In that context, we now have grave concerns for Mr Assange’s wellbeing.

Irrespective of the political controversies surrounding WikiLeaks, Mr Assange remains entitled to conduct his affairs in safety, and to receive procedural fairness in any legal proceedings against him.

As is well known, Mr Assange is an Australian citizen.

We therefore call upon you to condemn, on behalf of the Australian Government, calls for physical harm to be inflicted upon Mr Assange, and to state publicly that you will ensure Mr Assange receives the rights and protections to which he is entitled, irrespective of whether the unlawful threats against him come from individuals or states.

We urge you to confirm publicly Australia’s commitment to freedom of political communication; to refrain from cancelling Mr Assange's passport, in the absence of clear proof that such a step is warranted; to provide assistance and advocacy to Mr Assange; and do everything in your power to ensure that any legal proceedings taken against him comply fully with the principles of law and procedural fairness.

A statement by you to this effect should not be controversial – it is a simple commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.

We believe this case represents something of a watershed, with implications that extend beyond Mr Assange and WikiLeaks. In many parts of the globe, death threats routinely silence those who would publish or disseminate controversial material. If these incitements to violence against Mr Assange, a recipient of Amnesty International’s Media Award, are allowed to stand, a disturbing new precedent will have been established in the English-speaking world.

In this crucial time, a strong statement by you and your Government can make an important difference.

We look forward to your response.

Dr Jeff Sparrow, author and editor
Lizzie O’Shea, Social Justice Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn
Professor Noam Chomsky, writer and academic
Antony Loewenstein, journalist and author
Mungo MacCallum, journalist and writer
Professor Peter Singer, author and academic
Adam Bandt, MP (Moana Pasifika)
Senator Bob Brown
Senator Scott Ludlam
Julian Burnside QC (Quade Cooper), barrister
Jeff Lawrence, Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions
Professor Raimond Gaita, author and academic
Rob Stary, lawyer
Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Lance Collins, Australian Intelligence Corps, writer
The Hon Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC (Quade Cooper)
Brian Walters SC, barrister
Professor Larissa Behrendt, academic
Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees, academic, Sydney Peace Foundation
Mary Kostakidis, Chair, Sydney Peace Foundation
Professor Wendy Bacon, journalist
Christos Tsiolkas, author
James Bradley, author and journalist
Julian Morrow, comedian and television producer
Louise Swinn, publisher
Helen Garner, novelist
Professor Dennis Altman, writer and academic
Dr Leslie Cannold, author, ethicist, commentator
John Birmingham, writer
Guy Rundle, writer
Alex Miller, writer
Sophie Cunningham, editor and author
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
Professor Judith Brett, author and academic
Stephen Keim SC, President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
Phil Lynch, Executive Director, Human Rights Law Resource Centre
Sylvia Hale, MLC
Sophie Black, editor
David Ritter, lawyer and historian
Dr Scott Burchill, writer and academic
Dr Mark Davis, author and academic
Henry Rosenbloom, publisher
Ben Naparstek, editor
Chris Feik, editor
Louise Swinn, publisher
Stephen Warne, barrister
Dr John Dwyer QC (Quade Cooper)
Hilary McPhee, writer, publisher
Joan Dwyer OAM
Greg Barns, barrister
James Button, journalist
Owen Richardson, critic
Michelle Griffin, editor
John Timlin, literary Agent & producer
Ann Cunningham, lawyer and publisher
Alison Croggon, author, critic
Daniel Keene, playwright
Dr Nick Shimmin, editor/writer
Bill O'Shea, lawyer, former President, Law Institute of Victoria
Dianne Otto, Professor of Law, Melbourne Law School
Professor Frank Hutchinson,Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS), University of Sydney
Anthony Georgeff, editor
Max Gillies, actor
Shane Maloney, writer
Louis Armand, author and publisher
Jenna Price, academic and journalist
Tanja Kovac, National Cooordinator EMILY's List Australia
Dr Russell Grigg, academic
Dr Justin Clemens, writer and academic
Susan Morairty, Lawyer
David Hirsch, Barrister
Cr Anne O’Shea
Kathryn Crosby, Candidates Online
Dr Robert Sparrow, academic
Jennifer Mills, author
Foong Ling Kong, editor
Tim Norton, Online Campaigns Co-ordinator, Oxfam Australia
Elisabeth Wynhausen, writer
Ben Slade, Lawyer
Nikki Anderson, publisher
Dan Cass
Professor Diane Bell, author and academic
Dr Philipa Rothfield, academic
Gary Cazalet, academic
Dr David Coady, academic
Dr Matthew Sharpe, writer and academic
Dr Tamas Pataki, writer and academic
Miska Mandic
Associate Professor Jake Lynch, academic
Professor Simon During, academic
Michael Brull, writer
Dr Geoff Boucher, academic
Jacinda Woodhead, writer and editor
Dr Rjurik Davidson, writer and editor
Mic Looby, writer
Jane Gleeson-White, writer and editor
Alex Skutenko, editor
Associate Professor John Collins, academic
Professor Philip Pettit, academic
Dr Christopher Scanlon, writer and academic
Dr Lawrie Zion, journalist
Johannes Jakob, editor
Sunili Govinnage, lawyer
Michael Bates, lawyer
Bridget Maidment, editor
Bryce Ives, theatre director
Sarah Darmody, writer
Jill Sparrow, writer
Lyn Bender, psychologist
Meredith Rose, editor
Dr Ellie Rennie, President, Engage Media
Ryan Paine, editor
Simon Cooper, editor
Chris Haan, lawyer
Carmela Baranowska, journalist.
Clinton Ellicott, publisher
Dr Charles Richardson, writer and academic
Phillip Frazer, publisher
Geoff Lemon, journalist
Jaya Savige, poet and editor
Johannes Jakob, editor
Kate Bree Geyer; journalist
Chay-Ya Clancy, performer
Lisa Greenaway, editor, writer
Chris Kennett - screenwriter, journalist
Kasey Edwards, author
Dr. Janine Little, academic
Dr Andrew Milner, writer and academic
Patricia Cornelius, writer
Elisa Berg, publisher
Lily Keil, editor
Jenny Sinclair
Roselina Rose
Stephen Luntz
PM Newton
Bryan Cooke
Kristen Obaid
Ryan Haldane-Underwood
Patrick Gardner
Robert Sinnerbrink
Kathryn Millist
Anne Coombs
Karen Pickering
Sarah Mizrahi
Suzanne Ingleton
Jessica Crouch
Michael Ingleton
Matt Griffin
Jane Allen
Tom Curtis
John Connell
David Garland
Stuart Hall
Meredith Tucker-Evans
Phil Perkins
Alexandra Adsett
Tom Doig, editor
Beth Jackson
Peter Mattessi
Robert Sinnerbrink
Greg Black
Paul Ashton
Sigi Jottkandt
Kym Connell, lawyer
Silma Ihram
Nicole Papaleo, lawyer
Melissa Forbes
Matthew Ryan
Ben Gook
Daniel East
Bridget Ikin
Lisa O'Connell
Melissa Cranenburgh
John Bryson
Michael Farrell
Melissa Reeves
Dr Emma Cox
Michael Green
Margherita Tracanelli
David Carlin, writer
Bridget McDonnell
Geoff Page, writer
Rebecca Interdonato
Roxane Ludbrook-Ingleton
Stefan Caramia
Ash Plummer

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think it's as simple as this: has he broken any laws? No? Then he should be left to go about his business. The suggestion that some laws should be changed retroactively specifically to go after him is a chilling one indeed.

The cheap political point scoring aside, I agree with the letter those people have signed. He is entitled to the protection of the law until such time as he has committed an actual crime and even then he is entitled to due process.

 

[Ruggo]

What is chilling is some clown that wants to make a name for himself releasing information that could inflame what is already a edgy global environment.

I am all for rights but I am more for responsibility. The people in the letter may have concerns for his well being but thanks to Mr Assange's actions I have concerns for my myself and my fellow man's well being.

You made your bed you little smart arse prick, now it is time to lie in it. Give the clown his due process then find the slightest little detail to shut him down. I believe the govt has opened all assitance as other Australians but he has chosen not to accept it.

 

[Moses]

He's not acting alone in publishing this information, it is in conjunction with many of the worlds' most respected newspapers.

 

[Scotty]

I'm not around all of what has been leaked, but I for one don't think it will do any real damage. It effect it might put a few politicians on notice to treat others with more respect, particularly American pollies and diplomats. The leaks show some real contempt they have for others.

And as others have mentioned his previous releases have done some good.

The mass media wouldn't have the guts to release any of this information. Someone should do it.

 

[Moses]

I find it amusing that the Americans who have constitutionally protected freedoms of press as a means of ensuring democracy can act in such a way.

 

[slasher]

I would be very cautious if I was this gentleman, would not be at all surprised if he is tragically involved in a single vehicle accident. But perhaps I watch too many movies....
I myself am also not right on top of everything that has been released but I believe I heard somewhere where 2 million people already have access to this information??? If this is the case then surely its not a platform to document information of such sensitivity. Perhaps such leaks may ultimately make the US and others consider their actions as international citizens...But I wouldn't bet on it! I can't wait for the leaks on the banks!

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The latest round of disclosures have been more embarrassing than dangerous and it's not just been the US and Australia. Plenty of other nations will be left red-faced over this.