Guest Peeves Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Isn't Sweden a democracy. Why would he avoid proving his innocence. Huh? http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2012/06/19/assange_seeks_asylum_wikileaks_founder_seeking_asylum_in_ecuador_.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest Out of Options in Britain, Assange Seeks Asylum in EcuadorWikiLeaks founder turns to the Latin American country in a last-ditch effort to avoid extradition to Sweden. By Elizabeth Hewitt | Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 4:08 PM ET 140076849 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had written to the president of Ecuador, claiming that he is being persecuted and that authorities in his own country, Australia, will not protect him. Photo by Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange formally requested asylum in Ecuador at the Latin American country’s embassy in London on Tuesday afternoon, a week after he exhausted options to fight extradition to Sweden through the British judiciary system, CNN reports. The request is the latest twist in a year-and-a-half long legal battle already cluttered with the intricate diplomatic policies of several different countries, as the Australian WikiLeaks founder has sought to avoid facing charges of sexual assault in Sweden. "Ecuador is studying and analyzing the request," Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino announced from Quito, according to Reuters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleeding heart Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 (edited) Isn't Sweden a democracy. Why would he avoid proving his innocence. Huh? http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2012/06/19/assange_seeks_asylum_wikileaks_founder_seeking_asylum_in_ecuador_.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest He says he's concerned that Sweden would extradite him to the US, where he could be charged with informing people of the truth...(a terrible crime, even as officials and their supporters themselves use wikileaks' information for their own talking points). Or...he could be simply trying to avoid the sexual assault charges. Both seem possible. It could even be both simultaneously. We can only speculate, of course. Who really knows? Edited June 20, 2012 by bleeding heart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldo Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 We can only speculate, of course. Who really knows? according to Assange's defense council, Assange claims the sexual relations were with 2 separate women (who knew each other), the instances were 3 days apart, and the instances were both consensual in nature: as a part of the "Assange accusation timeline": Clare Montgomery, representing the Swedish authorities, tells a judge that two women who accused Assange of sexual assault did not freely consent to his advances but felt "trapped" into "submitting to his will". as for the expressed concerns over a potential Swedish extradition to the U.S.: Center for Constitutional Rights Condemns Reported Sealed Indictment Against WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange - Leak of Private Intelligence Firm Documents Confirm Existence of Secret Indictment by Secret Grand Jury February 28, 2012, New York – Leaks published today from Stratfor, a private intelligence corporation, indicate the United States Department of Justice has issued a secret, sealed indictment against Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks. In response, the Center for Constitutional Rights issued the following statement: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleeding heart Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 according to Assange's defense council, Assange claims the sexual relations were with 2 separate women (who knew each other), the instances were 3 days apart, and the instances were both consensual in nature: Oh, yes. When I say we can only "speculate," I should rightly add the proper provisos. At any rate, it doesn't reflect at all on the important work of wikileaks. One of my favourite bits of recent gallows humour was in discovering that most self-styled "libertarians" expressed outrage over wikileaks...fully aligning themselves with the State. as for the expressed concerns over a potential Swedish extradition to the U.S.: Center for Constitutional Rights Condemns Reported Sealed Indictment Against WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange - Leak of Private Intelligence Firm Documents Confirm Existence of Secret Indictment by Secret Grand Jury Wow...i was aware that Assange had claimed there was a "secret indictment"...now I see that it's in fact true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dre Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 (edited) Isn't Sweden a democracy. Why would he avoid proving his innocence. Huh? http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2012/06/19/assange_seeks_asylum_wikileaks_founder_seeking_asylum_in_ecuador_.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest Why the hell would a person that hasnt been charged with a crime be extradited to anywhere? Swedish authorities have now had more than 2 years to build a case against Assange, and they have been unable to formally charge him with ANYTHING AT ALL. Where is the charges? Where is the evidence? This guy is absolutely right to seek asylum. This has the appearance of a stitch-up. He has now been held for almost 2 years without a single charge against him. Why would he avoid proving his innocence Because until theres formal charges against him, and his attorneys have seen the evidence supporting those charges, there is simply nothing to prove or disprove? Tell me... Why havent YOU proved your innocence on all the charges that dont exist against you? Edited June 20, 2012 by dre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guyser Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Why would he avoid proving his innocence. Huh? Because he , like millions of others , dont think he will be treated fairly. He is right to seek asylum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peeves Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Because he , like millions of others , dont think he will be treated fairly. He is right to seek asylum. Bull pucky. He faces rape charges and has now broken the law on bail. There is now an arrest warrant. Many supporters now face the loss of their sureties. STOCKHOLM — The elusive Australian behind the biggest leak of U.S. war documents in history is wanted by Sweden in a drawn-out rape probe, and could soon face an international arrest warrant curtailing his ability to jump from one country to another.A Swedish court on Thursday approved a motion to bring Julian Assange, the 39-year-old founder of WikiLeaks, into custody for questioning. The decision paves the way for prosecutors to seek his arrest abroad through Interpol. Assange, whose whereabouts are unknown, is suspected of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. He has denied the allegations, which stem from his encounters with two women during a visit to Sweden in August. Emphasis mine. Like many others that want to make a stand, he will not take any responsibility for his own behavior and considers himself justified in ignoring the law that impact on him personally. In other words, he considers himself above the law. Sweden has followed a legal course and is fully right in their motion for him to appear for questioning on serious charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleeding heart Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Bull pucky. He faces rape charges and has now broken the law on bail. There is now an arrest warrant. Many supporters now face the loss of their sureties. Emphasis mine. Like many others that want to make a stand, he will not take any responsibility for his own behavior and considers himself justified in ignoring the law that impact on him personally. In other words, he considers himself above the law. Sweden has followed a legal course and is fully right in their motion for him to appear for questioning on serious charges. You didn't read, much less respond to, what anyone has said here, either about the assault charges, the incredible length of time under which he's been a suspect (not guilty, as you take for granted)...nor about the "secret indictment" against him by the United States. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 It's always interesting that when someone,or a group,threatens "the establishment" the sex story smear campaign is sure to follow... Sealed indictment... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 ...nor about the "secret indictment" against him by the United States. There is nothing unusual about a "secret (sealed) indictment"...what's the big deal this time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dre Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Bull pucky. He faces rape charges No he doesnt. YOU do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleeding heart Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 There is nothing unusual about a "secret (sealed) indictment"...what's the big deal this time? At any rate, it's not much of a secret now. And of course it's rational for him to try to avoid it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GostHacked Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 It was simply an attempt to silence Assange from the people he is trying to expose. It was a threat. Obviously he has not taken the bait. Also, the waiting two years to actually charge him with anything shows that they don't have anything on Assange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleeding heart Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 If anything, the bigger story here is the draconian absurdity of the British and Swedish justice systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dre Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 What kind of cowardly logicless infantile hit and run thread is this? The author of the OP, spouts off an illogical assertion, followed by some silly nonsense and then rides off into the sunset once a few folks show up to debate it Im seeing more and more of this too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) What kind of cowardly logicless infantile hit and run thread is this? The author of the OP, spouts off an illogical assertion, followed by some silly nonsense and then rides off into the sunset once a few folks show up to debate it Im seeing more and more of this too. Partisan conservative (in this case) submission to authority type... Can't stand the heat put on "The Establishment" by the likes of Assange,so,he wants to him taken down by a "sealed indictment" in an almost totally predictable "sex scandal"... Edited June 21, 2012 by Jack Weber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleeding heart Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 The author of the OP, spouts off an illogical assertion, followed by some silly nonsense and then rides off into the sunset once a few folks show up to debate it Im seeing more and more of this too. That's my impression, too. And it transcends political boundaries, so is a sort of democratic foolishness. "Socialist" is gone; maybe some other deserving folks will fade away too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peeves Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 No he doesnt. YOU do. Notre Bene! Buffoon on the lose!See above. "A Swedish court on Thursday approved a motion to bring Julian Assange, the 39-year-old founder of WikiLeaks, into custody for questioning. The decision paves the way for prosecutors to seek his arrest abroad through Interpol. Assange, whose whereabouts are unknown, is suspected of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. He has denied the allegations, which stem from his encounters with two women during a visit to Sweden in August." Are you saying that Sweden is not within their legal rights to pass such a motion? And, that Assange has no obligation to answer the questions? If so, then you agree as he, that he is above the law when and if it suits HIM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peeves Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Partisan conservative (in this case) submission to authority type... Can't stand the heat put on "The Establishment" by the likes of Assange,so,he wants to him taken down by a "sealed indictment" in an almost totally predictable "sex scandal"... That's your take. If he's not guilty then Sweden as a democracy, will in all good faith discharge any counts that aren't proven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldo Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Bull pucky. He faces rape charges Notre Bene! Buffoon on the lose! See above. excellent... at least you now recognize that no charges have been made against Assange. further to: as for the expressed concerns over a potential Swedish extradition to the U.S.: Center for Constitutional Rights Condemns Reported Sealed Indictment Against WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange - Leak of Private Intelligence Firm Documents Confirm Existence of Secret Indictment by Secret Grand Jury February 28, 2012, New York – Leaks published today from Stratfor, a private intelligence corporation, indicate the United States Department of Justice has issued a secret, sealed indictment against Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks. In response, the Center for Constitutional Rights issued the following statement: a recent days letter from the Australian Attorney General, Nicola Roxon, to Assange's attorney has been released... a letter that prompted Assange to seek political asylum in the Ecuadorean embassy in London... a letter that contains this most insightful advice/comment from the Australian Attorney General: Australian Attorney General, Nicola Roxon : "Australia would not expect to be a party to any extradition discussions that may take place between the United States and the United Kingdom or the United States and Sweden, as extradition is a matter of bilateral law enforcement co-operation." "Should Mr Assange be convicted of any offence in the United States and a sentence of imprisonment imposed, he may apply for an international prisoner transfer to Australia". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dre Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 That's your take. If he's not guilty then Sweden as a democracy, will in all good faith discharge any counts that aren't proven. If hes charged with a crime, then I supposed the establishment of guilt or innocence might come into play. But what we have is a guy that has been incarcerated for 2 years without charges about to be extradited without any chance to review any evidence against him. If this is how you want the justice system to work then you have some serious issues. But the fact of the matter is youre just a hack that hates this guy because he dared challenge the supremecy of your most beloved authority. If someone you personally approved of was being subjected to this kind of horseshit you would be up in arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 If hes charged with a crime, then I supposed the establishment of guilt or innocence might come into play. But what we have is a guy that has been incarcerated for 2 years without charges about to be extradited without any chance to review any evidence against him. If this is how you want the justice system to work then you have some serious issues. But the fact of the matter is youre just a hack that hates this guy because he dared challenge the supremecy of your most beloved authority. If someone you personally approved of was being subjected to this kind of horseshit you would be up in arms. This is what we call tearing the cover off the ball!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldo Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 And, that Assange has no obligation to answer the questions? If so, then you agree as he, that he is above the law when and if it suits HIM! further to your ongoing gong-show... as it turns out, Assange's legal council attempted to have Swedish authorities question Assange under 2 different scenarios; (1) where Swedish authorities would come to London and question Assange or (2) where Swedish authorities would question Assange by telephone, from Sweden. Neither of these scenarios were acceptable to Swedish authorities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 (edited) Why the hell would a person that hasnt been charged with a crime be extradited to anywhere? Swedish authorities have now had more than 2 years to build a case against Assange, and they have been unable to formally charge him with ANYTHING AT ALL. Where is the charges? Where is the evidence? This guy is absolutely right to seek asylum. This has the appearance of a stitch-up. He has now been held for almost 2 years without a single charge against him. Because until theres formal charges against him, and his attorneys have seen the evidence supporting those charges, there is simply nothing to prove or disprove? Tell me... Why havent YOU proved your innocence on all the charges that dont exist against you? I don't know I'm just speculating here but do swedish laws permit laying charges against someone without the accused being questioned first?...if not then they aren't being unreasonable but very fair...the charges from what I've read sound flimsy but police/investigators are bound to follow up on very serious accusations even if they are unfounded, they need his version of the events...his resistance is understandable as he may be extradited to the US if after questioning the Swedish police don't proceed with rape charges if they are found to be without merit... Edited June 23, 2012 by wyly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 further to your ongoing gong-show... as it turns out, Assange's legal council attempted to have Swedish authorities question Assange under 2 different scenarios; (1) where Swedish authorities would come to London and question Assange or (2) where Swedish authorities would question Assange by telephone, from Sweden. Neither of these scenarios were acceptable to Swedish authorities. your expecting Swedish authorities to negotiate/concede jurisdiction to a legal team?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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