Time running out to prosecute WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could be cleared of three sex assault claims as the prosecution time limits are set to expire while he remains in hiding in London. The Swedish Prosecution Authority SPA confirmed three of the four allegations made against him in 2010 would reach the five-year expiry date, set out under the country’s statute of limitations, within the next week. The Australian has been living at the Ecuadorian embassy in the capital since being granted asylum more than three years ago while fighting extradition from the UK.

The Embassy of Ecuador to the United Kingdom clarifies that on no occasion has any representative of the Kingdom of Sweden presented themselves at the embassy in relation to the Assange matter.

A spokesperson from the Embassy of Educador said.

He is wanted for questioning over the sex claims by two women in Sweden - which he denies - but fears being extradited to the United States over secret documents published by the whistleblowing organisation. Mr Assange has previously said he agreed to be interviewed by Swedish authorities inside the embassy but he claimed in June the country’s chief prosecutor had cancelled an interview appointment. Mr Assange’s legal team has estimated the cost of the round-the-clock policing of the embassy in Knightsbridge was now more than £12 million ($18.6M USD).

It’s quite obvious that the Swedish authorities waited all these years. He doesn’t have to clear his name. He has been asking to be interviewed in London for five years - he has asked for this to be moved forward.

WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson

World Julian Assange