UN panel could rule in Assange's favour

A UN committee is expected to release its report within days on whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been detained unlawfully.

The outcome of a United Nations investigation into the case of Julian Assange is set to be revealed and could rule that the WikiLeaks founder is being detained illegally.

Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for more than three years and has been granted political asylum by the Ecuador government.

The Australian is wanted for questioning in Sweden over one sex assault allegation, which he has always denied.

He believes he will be transported to the US to be quizzed over the activities of WikiLeaks if he goes to Sweden. There is an espionage case against him in the US.

He filed a complaint against Sweden and the UK in September 2014 which has been considered by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

The group, made up of legal experts, has made previous rulings on whether imprisonment or detention is lawful, which have led to people being released.

It is understood that a decision will be published on Friday. If the group concludes that Assange is being unlawfully detained, the UN is expected to call on the UK and Sweden to release him.

Assange has offered to be interviewed inside the embassy by Swedish prosecutors.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has said that questions submitted by Swedish prosecutors will be asked by Ecuadorian officials.

The Swedish prosecutor handling the case, Marianne Ny, is believed to be still considering a request to let Ecuadorian officials do the interrogation.

Before entering the embassy, Assange was under house arrest and in prison since December 2010. He has not been charged.


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2 min read
Published 2 February 2016 10:12pm
Updated 3 February 2016 6:10am
Source: AAP


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