Julian Assange - Wikileaks: Warrior For True Part 19

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 www.aklagare.se. Marianne Ny will then also be available by phone.

The response from every party was immediate.

Hurtig, Julian's lawyer, went first: "Of course [Julian a.s.sange] denies the allegations [...], we do not think it is proportional to demand his arrest just to interrogate him. An interrogation can be organized in many ways."

He was angry when claiming that his client did everything to help the Swedish prosecution.

As for Chief Prosecutor Ny, she felt she had, "exhausted all the procedures to set up an interrogation." And Borgstrom claimed, "Finally, that [the arrest warrant] could have been done earlier." Mark Stephens didn't mince words either. He accused the Swedish court of treating Julian's case as a "persecution and not a prosecution."

Julian, who was then in Great Britain, was prepared to answer questions from the Swedish prosecutor, but not at her beck and call, as "he had his own agenda and lots of work," according to Hurtig. Stephens concluded: "All of these offers have been flatly refused by a prosecutor who is abusing her powers."

As of November 22, 2010, on behalf of his client, Hurtig appealed the decision and demanded that the arrest warrant be cancelled. The Swedish Court of Appeal was informed of this decision. Monday afternoon the Court of Appeal demanded the advice of the prosecutor.

Ny refused to cooperate with Julian's Swedish lawyer Hurtig, who tried several times to make his client available for interrogation while he was still in Sweden. Ny refused Julian's proposal to answer her questions by phone or any other means of proper communication 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.

The Supreme Court has decided not to grant leave to Julian a.s.sange to appeal. Additional information will be sent to the British police.

Julian a.s.sange has been subjected to an arrest warrant in his absence for rape, s.e.xual a.s.sault and coercion. a.s.sange has appealed this decision at the Court of Appeal.

For the Supreme Court to grant leave for an appeal, it needs authorization. It may be granted if the case is expected to have significant impact on law enforcement, or if there are other important reasons.

The arrest warrant is based on the decision to arrest, which has now been validated by the three instances. The additional information required by the British police concern the charges linked to the other offences besides rape for which Julian a.s.sange is being prosecuted. The information required will be provided as quickly as possible. The previous arrest warrants remain in effect.

Julian a.s.sange was then one of the most wanted men in the world. At that time, he was in the south of England. "When you get that many death threats, it's better to be discrete," Kristinn Hrafnsson, spokesperson of WikiLeaks, admitted. According to the Icelander, Julian was not trying to flee Swedish prosecution, but feared his own safety.

* Progress report on the European arrest warrant, Monday, December 6, 2010 Marianne Ny submitted the additional information requested by the British police. The case is being handled by the competent judicial authorities according to European regulatory framework. For now the Chief Prosecutor will not provide any additional information concerning the execution of the arrest warrant.

* Statement of Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 The British police have arrested Julian a.s.sange. Following the day's events, Marianne Ny said: "Besides the arrest, nothing new happened in the investigation, but the arrest was a prerequisite so that we could move on. I cannot provide any information on what happens next in the investigation. Currently the case is in the hands of the British authorities.

I would like to point out that I have not been subjected to any political pressure or other kinds of pressure. I act as a prosecutor because of suspicions of s.e.xual crimes committed in Sweden in August. Swedish prosecutors are fully autonomous in their decision."

On December 7 2010 in front of a British court, Gemma Lindfield, representative of the Swedish authorities, detailed the four charges against Julian a.s.sange, which are 'coercion' and 's.e.xual a.s.sault' of Ms. Ardin on the night of August 14, 2010, first by firmly holding her arms, then by forcing her to have unprotected s.e.x. Julian a.s.sange was also accused of the 'voluntary aggression' of Ms. Ardin. Finally, on August 17 2010 he was accused of having 'abusively exploited' the fact that Ms. Wilen was sleeping in order to have unprotected s.e.x with her.

Lindfield added that bail should be refused to a.s.sange because of his 'nomadic ways,' the contacts he has around the world and the money at his disposal thanks to his many donors, but also because has already refused to take a DNA test or provide his fingerprints. Lindfield also pointed out that this would help ensure the protection of the accused, should unstable people try to seriously harm him.

On December 7, 2010, Julian a.s.sange was behind bars. He voluntarily gave himself up to the authorities in the morning and was heard at 2 p.m. in front of a Westminster court, which was swarming with journalists.

After having highlighted 'the extreme gravity of the accusations' made against him, Judge Howard Riddle refused his request for release on bail, as the accused had 'the means and ability to flee.' Julian a.s.sange was detained awaiting a new court appearance on December 14, 2010.

In the mean time, the WikiLeaks organization faced problems from all sides: cyber attacks, domains closings and banking bans. However, Julian said he took all the necessary precautions to guarantee continuing the leaks regardless of what were to happen to him.

James Ball, a British journalist collaborating with WikiLeaks said: "Everything is planned, all this will continue as ever."

That night Julian slept in a cell. He's looking at four years in prison.

37.

BEHIND BARS.

Published on December 20, 2010 by sophox Leave a comment.

Julian got out of prison this Thursday evening, December 16, 2010. He was incarcerated on December 7, in Great Britain following a European arrest warrant issued by Swedish authorities. He's being prosecuted for rape, s.e.xual a.s.sault and constraint, and could be extradited to Sweden over the next few weeks. a.s.sange has always denied these accusations, claiming there's a smear campaign against him since WikiLeaks revealed thousands of confidential, diplomatic American doc.u.ments. "I don't like to see the word 'rape' next to my name. I have never had a s.e.xual relations.h.i.+p with a woman without her consent," he affirms strongly. He still risks four years in prison for 'minor rape.'

"It's great to feel the fresh air of London again," Julian said about his forced stay in "solitary confinement at the bottom of a Victorian prison."

He got out of prison after posting 240,000 pounds (USD 390,000) on bail, collected by friends and sympathizers. It wasn't easy to find that kind of money, which is why his release was delayed by at least two days. That meant dis.h.i.+ng out 390,000 dollars, with 200,000 that had to be paid in cash. Many celebrities like British filmmaker and left-wing English figure, Ken Loach helped him out. Some of the other bail providers were the lovely Jemima Khan, ex-wife of Pakistani cricket star Imran Khan, amba.s.sador for UNICEF and fortunate aristocrat close to Lady Diana, and American doc.u.mentary maker Michael Moore.

"It's a considerable amount and what is sad, is that he can't use Visa or MasterCard to help collect these funds," lawyer Mark Stephens said jokingly. He alludes here to the fact that both American credit card companies have blocked money transfers to the WikiLeaks site.

Julian therefore came out of prison 'believing in the British justice system.' "I hope to continue my work," said the founder of WikiLeaks on the steps of the building of the High Court, after nine days of detention. He wants to prove his innocence, and that's why he gave himself up to the police on December 7, 2010.

In the mean time, after a prison cell, it's time for 'mansion arrest.' Julian is staying at Ellingham Hall, a manor two hours away from London, in Norfolk.

Vaughan Smith, the owner of London's Frontline Club for journalists, is playing host to Julian in his ancestral manor, located in a wooded area, at the side of a lake. His host, former officer turned war correspondent, did say that that he had a good Internet connection.

It's a gilded cage, really, because his parole has strict instructions to be followed: electronic tag, curfew and reporting to a police station every day. He has to show up every day between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Beccles police station. In the county of Suffolk, Beccles is a small town located a few hundred yards from the coast of the North Sea, about fifteen minutes from Ellingham Hall.

Julian cannot give interviews at his residence, as his lawyer forbids it. He also cannot talk about the case, as only his legal representatives are now allowed to do so. However, he can be approached in his small black car when he goes to the Beccles police station.

"He is settling down in the house," said Vaughan Smith. "He works, I don't spend my time looking over his shoulder, I am his host, not his jailer," added the estate owner.

For Mr. Smith, the innocence of his guest is not in question. He believes in his fight. "He initiated developments that will change our world. There is an opportunity for governments to change. We would have a better world as a result," he explained.

Julian has settled in the residence with a few friends, including WikiLeaks spokesperson, Kristinn Hrafnsson.

Although his pa.s.sport was taken away, he remains available to the Swedish authorities, as he believes that this entire matter is simply and purely something the Americans cooked up.

A French intelligence expert came up with this hypothesis: "The Swedish are trying to set him up. They want to break him and make an example of him so he'll stop making noise in the media in the future." It's true that he'll have less time to provoke Western governments if he has to fight with lawyers to ensure his defense.

In the beginning, there were two young Swedes, Anna Ardin and Sofia Wilen.

What Julian did wrong: refused to use condoms when they had s.e.xual relations. That was mid-August of last year, during a seminar in Stockholm, Sweden. They are Julian's main accusers.

What troubles me is that they waited several days to go to the police, which in fact fueled the wildest online rumors. From the very beginning, he's always claimed that the two Swedes were recruited to trap him. I even read that one of the two plaintiffs has a cousin posted in Afghanistan. Or maybe they're in it for the money, unless they want to get revenge on a man who deceived them, or better yet, men in general, as Anna is apparently a fundamentalist-feminist.

Last we heard Anna left Stockholm to go to the West Bank in the Palestinian Territories, as part of a Christian outreach group. She's no longer cooperating with prosecutors or even her lawyer. We've read everything on these two girls, all on the Internet.

I found a few troubling coincidences: how these women persisted in meeting Julian, and after having had s.e.xual relations with him, they continued to be in contact with their presumed rapist. That's very strange.

What really bothers me is how fiercely people are attacking them online. They've said next to nothing since the end of August.

We know very little about Sofia Wilen. She was said to have worked part-time in a museum and that her boyfriend was an American artist named Seth Benson.

Neither one of them give interviews. Since their accusation of s.e.xual crimes, qualified by Julian many times as a set up to discredit WikiLeaks, the young women live far from the media's attention. Sofia has even cut off her phone. On December 17, Anna wrote on her blog that she was "taking a break," but announced she would express herself soon on the site prataomdet.se (Prata om det means 'to talk about it'). This forum was created in December of 2010, where you can read testimonials published since the beginning of the affair on Twitter or in Swedish newspapers of women who claim they've been victims of comparable s.e.xual aggression.

On Twitter, Ardin says she's happy to write that she's 'the real' Anna Ardin. Finally, on December 8, she tweeted a weird allusion to the affair: "CIA agent, rabid feminist / Muslim lover, a Christian fundamentalist, frigid & fatally in love with a man, can you be all that at the same time..."