Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2010/11/18/assange_interpol/

Sweden to issue international arrest warrant for Assange

Interpol called in

By Christopher Williams

Posted in Legal, 18th November 2010 15:25 GMT

Swedish prosecuters plan to issue an international arrest warrant for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, after a court today approved their request to detain him over rape and molestation allegations.

Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny said she will seek his arrest via Interpol, AP reports.

Assange again denied the allegations today through his London lawyers.

"Despite his right to silence, my client has repeatedly offered to be interviewed, first in Sweden, and then in the UK (including at the Swedish Embassy), either in person or by telephone, videoconferencing or email and he has also offered to make a sworn statement on affidavit," said Mark Stephens.

"All of these offers have been flatly refused by a prosecutor who is abusing her powers by insisting that he return to Sweden at his own expense to be subjected to another media circus that she will orchestrate."

Stephens' full statement is here.

The allegations surround Assange's encounters with two Swedish women in summer. His current whereabouts are unknown, though in recent months he is understood to have stayed mostly with friends in the UK. ®