Part 19 (1/2)

The Anna Ardin I know is an intelligent and politically pa.s.sionate person. Her being a strong supporter of the ideals behind WikiLeaks fits her 'profile' far better than wanting to hurt it or its course. That being said, I don't think she would keep quiet if she felt that she or someone she knew had been subjected to any kind of wrongdoing.

In Sweden we have an expression of the importance of keeping two thoughts in one's head at the same time. In this case, I would say it is perfectly possible that Ms. Ardin is a strong supporter of WikiLeaks and admires Mr. a.s.sange's work but is equally determined to get justice for what she feels is an a.s.sault from him.

When in doubt, it is often best to rely on the law of Occam's razor; the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one. It seems far more likely that due to cultural differences, misunderstandings, intoxication etc. Mr. a.s.sange acted in unwanted s.e.xual way towards two Swedish women than that they were setting him up as a part of a CIA trap.”

36.

HEADING TO SURRENDER.

”This case will go down in history as the case of the condom.”

That was how Julian a.s.sange's former Australian lawyer, James Catlin, summed up his 'rape' case, which was way more complex than it seemed.

In fact, Julian's suspicions of a political intervention were confirmed when Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny made a decision on September 1, 2010. Setting aside a decision made by Eva Finne, she restored the initial allegations stating that rape was the appropriate charge.

As for Mark Stephens, Julian's lawyer in London, he claimed that without any other detail, a 'higher political authority' had initiated the reopening of the case. He was basically referring to the influence Claes Borgstrom, the lawyer of the two plaintiffs, may have exerted.

Swedish legal experts believe that this decision was not exceptional, especially since over the last thirty years the feminist movement had been helping reform laws on s.e.xual aggression, which better protect women. It must be said that Chief Prosecutor Ny, in charge of the a.s.sange case, has been fighting for a reform of Swedish rape laws, specifically extending them to include the refusal to wear a condom. She reopened the investigation for rape and s.e.xual a.s.sault, and Julian is facing a sentence of four years in prison.

However, as of September 2010, Julian asked to be represented by another lawyer in Sweden, Bjorn Hurtig, as he felt that Leif Silbersky didn't defend him with enough verve. Hurtig had previously collaborated with the American Emba.s.sy in Stockholm. Born in 1965, this lawyer became a member of the Swedish bar a.s.sociation in 2002 and has claimed several high-profile cases to his name.

As for Borgstrom, the lawyer of the two plaintiffs, he says he has evidence of rape in both cases. He's even asked to have the case reviewed by a prosecutor of the Prosecution Development Centre in Gothenburg.

* Evolution of the a.s.sange case Friday, September 3 2010 No new information can be provided on the case.

”I cannot provide any new information on this case. No information will be provided over the weekend,” said Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny, leading the investigation.

* An exclusive interview with Julian a.s.sange on Tuesday, September 7 2010 a.s.sange tells his story on Swedish television NV4 in an exclusive interview. He refused to invoke his private life or the private lives of others. He also denied ever having forced anyone to do anything. On the other hand, he said he didn't think the young women were under the influence of the CIA or that they had been pushed to accuse him.

The Australian said he was also worried, as he submitted a request for a work permit two days earlier. He was wondering if, because he was being accused of rape, he could be arrested at the airport if he tried leaving the country.

* The next morning, there was more protest from Julian On Wednesday, September 8 2010, Julian said: ”This entire rape investigation has been conducted without my input. No one has asked me any questions regarding the rape case. The police refuse to say if there is a warrant out for me or not. I found out everything in the press. It's been two weeks now.”

* Evolution of the a.s.sange case Thursday, September 9 2010 ”Work on the investigation progresses, but right now and within the next few weeks, I cannot provide any new information on this case,” said Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny, leading the investigation.

* Evolution of the a.s.sange case on Friday, September 24 2010 Work on the investigation continues and is relatively well advanced. A number of additional investigative steps remain before a decision can be taken in this case.

On September 27 2010, a.s.sange left Sweden.

* Evolution of the a.s.sange case on Wednesday, September 29 2010 ”It is still impossible to say anything at the moment about when a decision will be made. Considering the confidentiality of the investigation and the persons concerned, no more detailed information concerning the investigation can be provided for now,” said Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny on that day.

* Evolution of the a.s.sange case on Friday, October 22 2010 Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny gives a brief description of the situation: ”The investigation has progressed, but there are still some steps to take before making any decision. It is impossible to say at the moment when a decision will be made. A decision may lie in the near future, but it may also take some time.”

The same day, secret doc.u.ments, (Iraq War Logs), were broadcasted by The Guardian, The New York Times and Der Spiegel.

On Sat.u.r.day, October 30 2010, Julian's request for work and residence permits in Sweden was refused.

* Evolution of the a.s.sange case on Thursday, November 4 2010 The case is in progress, but Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny says that it is still impossible to make a decision or provide more details due to the legal confidentiality she must respect.

Julian a.s.sange was in Switzerland, where he said during a live interview on Switzerland's TSR that he planned to ask for political asylum there. From there, Julian flew to the United Kingdom to work on the launch of the American diplomatic cables.

* On Monday, October 18 2010, a missing person notice is issued for a.s.sange Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny submitted a request to the District Court of Stockholm in order for Julian a.s.sange to be detained in his absence.

The District Court decided in his absence to place a.s.sange in detention on suspicion of rape, s.e.xual a.s.sault and coercion.

As a result of this decision, a search is launched for a.s.sange abroad.

For the sake of the investigation and the parties involved, the Chief Prosecutor cannot provide any more details of the suspected crimes or the investigative measures taken so far.

”I request that the District Court detain a.s.sange in his absence, for the charges of rape, s.e.xual a.s.sault and coercion, based on the need to interrogate him within the scope of the investigation that could not be carried out,” said Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny, leading the investigation.

However, the hearing for issuing an arrest warrant for Julian a.s.sange has to take place the same day at 2 p.m. at the District Court of Stockholm, after which additional information will be published on the site munication during his stay in England.

* On Wednesday, November 24, 2010, the Court of Appeal confirmed the decision to detain a.s.sange.

The decision of the Swedish Court of Appeal concerning a.s.sange's detention means that he's still being searched for abroad.

The Court of Appeal reviewed the appeal and decided that a.s.sange should remain in custody on suspicion of rape, s.e.xual a.s.sault in two cases, and coercion. The missing person notice and international arrest warrant will be modified accordingly.

For the sake of the investigation and the parties involved, the prosecutor was unable to provide details of the suspected crimes or investigative measures taken so far.

* Evolution of the situation at the end of November 2010 On Sunday, November 28, 2010, the first American diplomatic cables were revealed, first through the five media of the alliance and then broadcasted around the world.

On Tuesday, November 30, 2010, Interpol launched a red notice for Julian a.s.sange, based on the Swedish arrest warrant. This meant arresting the person no matter where they were in the world, in view of their extradition.

The website of Interpol states: ”An Interpol red notice is not an international arrest warrant. These Interpol 'Red Notices' represent only a tiny fraction of the number of red notices issued by Interpol. The persons concerned are wanted by national jurisdictions (or the International Criminal Tribunals, where appropriate) and Interpol's role is to a.s.sist the national police forces in identifying or locating those persons with a view to their arrest and extradition. These red notices allow the warrant to be circulated worldwide with the request that the wanted person be arrested with a view to extradition. The person should be considered innocent until proven guilty.”

Hurtig judged that ”other motives, linked to WikiLeaks, are behind this decision.” Meanwhile Mark Stephens said: ”The honey trap has been sprung... After what we've seen so far you can reasonably conclude this is part of a greater plan.”

The lawyer qualified the allegations against Julian as 'dark forces at work.' a.s.sange continued to insist on the fact that he hadn't done anything inappropriate and had consensual s.e.x with both women.

British journalist Nick Davies also had an opinion on the subject: ”The Guardian understands that the recent Swedish decision to apply for an international arrest warrant followed a decision by a.s.sange to leave Sweden in late September and not return for a scheduled meeting when he was due to be interviewed by the prosecutor. a.s.sange's supporters have denied this, but a.s.sange himself told friends in London that he was supposed to return to Stockholm for a police interview during the week beginning October 11, and that he had decided to stay away. Prosecution doc.u.ments seen by The Guardian record that he was due to be interviewed on October 14, 2010.”

* European arrest warrant issued for a.s.sange on Thursday, December 2 2010 Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny confirmed today that a European arrest warrant was issued for Julian a.s.sange. She cannot currently provide additional information on this matter, with regard to confidentiality.