‘Utterly despicable’: Galloway on Sweden’s decision to reopen Assange rape case

Published time: 13 May, 2019 10:38Edited time: 13 May, 2019 11:14

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen in a police van, after he was arrested by British police, in London © Reuters / Henry Nicholls

The reopening of an inquiry into allegations of rape against Julian Assange shows that even a “fading empire” like the US can get what it wants when it is backed by obedient states like the UK & Sweden, says George Galloway.

Former Labour MP George Galloway has told RT that Sweden is even more of a US vassal state than Britain. He believes attempts to get to the truth of rape allegations against the WikiLeaks co-founder are not genuine.

Given that the allegations against Julian Assange has been twice investigated and twice abandoned, there is no reason to believe this is a serious effort to try him for sexual assault allegations dating back almost an entire decade.

The political firebrand sees this latest move by Sweden as part of a bigger operation being conducted by the US.

Galloway insists that there is “every reason to believe that this is part of a maneuver whereby if the British courts don’t free him and comply fully with the United States’ wishes, well, the Swedes will.”

ALSO ON RT.COMSwedish prosecutor reopens case probing Assange rape allegations

Sweden’s Director of Public Prosecutions Eva-Marie Persson made the announcement on Monday morning, confirming her office’s decision.

Persson told reporters at a press conference: “I have taken the decision to reopen the preliminary investigation.”

“As Mr Assange is currently incarcerated in the UK the circumstances now allow him to be extradited to Sweden on a rape warrant,” she added.

Responding to the announcement, WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson has claimed that the “case has been mishandled throughout.”

Hrafnsson added that several key details surrounding the investigation were suspicious after a Swedish prosecutor initially found that “no crime at all” had occurred, after which the case was reopened at the behest of the British authorities.

ALSO ON RT.COMAssange rape case politicized, ‘mishandled throughout’ says WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief

The rape allegations were leveled against Assange in a case which began almost a decade ago, before he sought refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012. He has repeatedly denied them.