Julian Assange, wikileaks and these rape claims

[sherby]

I have just read the basis of the two rape claims against him.

How is it possible to issue a warrant for rape charges against him? Even going by the womens statements it isn't rape, there is no 'non-consensual' sex.

Am I missing something here or does it stink to high heaven?

Wikileaks have released an 'insurance document', which is heavily encrypted. In the event of Assange's death, Wikileaks will release the key code to the insurance document.

Nobody knows what inside the insurance, but it's been given to every major news station (BBC included, I believe). It may be a bluff, but indeed it's very strange stuff isn't it! Almost something you'd expect to see in a Hollywood thriller!

Hillary Clinton is an accomplished lawyer. Amongst other things, she was assistant counsel, as opposed to lead counsel, at the Nixon impeachment trials.

The comment, 'route she took' is offensive. There are a lot of anti Hillary right wingers out there. Don't fall for it.

I am sooo going to regret posting this. I'm going to bed in a minute so, Dittany, I'm not ignoring your inevitably outraged reply. I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

In this particular case - in this thread, which is entitled "Julian Assange, Wikileaks and these rape claims" NOT "Is Julian Assange a rapist?" - I am taking a particular view. My view is that, even if Assange were a sexual abuser, his work with Wikileaks is of such momentous importance that I would rank it above his personal and criminal failings.

As the facts stand, I gather Assange is a bit weird but not a rapist (note, I gather, not judge). The girl in the anonymous interview mentioned another man with an anti-women attitude, so I suspect there were two men involved in the incident and the other man was the abuser.

I do believe Assange is being chased afresh over this because of recent Wikileaks activity. I do not know whether it's been raised by Assange himself, in order to keep him under police observation for some measure of protection, or by his opponents.

I do believe in conspiracy theories, especially when hyper-sensitive national agencies are involved.

Hilary Clinton might not have personally written the cable(s) but it's her policy. Ultimately the buck stops with her.

I haven't caught up with this particular part of the story but what's wrong with asking about the mental health of female diplomats ? Or were the cables accusing female diplomats of having mental health problems ?

Sarah Palin makes her gaffes deliberately, she is playing to the gallery. She is much smarter than she pretends to be and people giver her credit for. I think she will go far.

Why would Assange risk all of this aggro? Why isn't he handed over to the States? Do you think we would be told what was not intended?

I think dittany's theory makes sense.

I haven't followed the story in any detail, but I read on here that there was a rape accusation in Australia, before all of this.

Well, I didn't post on this thread until last night so you have replied to me - thanks

I was kind of expecting outrage about this: In this particular case - in this thread, which is entitled "Julian Assange, Wikileaks and these rape claims" NOT "Is Julian Assange a rapist?" - I am taking a particular view. My view is that, even if Assange were a sexual abuser, his work with Wikileaks is of such momentous importance that I would rank it above his personal and criminal failings.

I went on to say I suspect Assange didn't do the rape and this furore is connected with the leaks.

Very pleased not to have been called to account!

Can't find any reference to accusations of rape in Australia, so I don't think that bit is true.

Fair call, Dittany.

Regrettably: yes I would. I don't rank sexual assault as less than any crime, except for 'crimes' against the secret & dishonest machinations of powerful governments. My reason being that governments can - and regularly do - sanction many other crimes, including mass rape. Breaking through their self-afforded immunity is the only way to address that.

I watch Spooks

This all seems a bit fishy

I just wish the authorities paid this much attention to all rape accusations (whether he is guilty or not).

Found the article about SP here.

Why is Assange fannnying about in Britain instead of going to Sweden to face and beat these apparently ridiculous charges? He has plenty of lawyers to defend him and supporters to fund him. The publicity would be enormous. What are the chances of some arcane conspiracy to convict him actually succeeding (given how hard it is to get a rape conviction even in more conventional circumstances)? But he won't. He seems all geared up to fight extradition.

Frankly I think he should go and face the charges. If he is acquitted, he is vindicated and his accusers discredited. If he is convicted, we can all judge him, and them, accordingly. The international scrutiny the trial would attract would serve as protection against a rigged trial.

Smearing the women from afar while Assange refuses to co-operate with the investigation(as his Australian lawyer did in an article for a Sydney newspaper which actually named the women) is low and wrong and creates a completely unsatisfactory situation.

I think Sweden has form in terms of its relationship with the US so that would not be wise and we do have a reasonable system of justice in the UK. He is happy to be interviewed in the UK. The fact his lawyers have not been approached for that is very strange and clearly suggests other issues aer at stake.

I don't think that Sweden's system of justice is necessarily inferior to ours, so that doesn't persuade me. They are generally a more transparent society, so the prosecutor could expect his/her decisions to come under a lot of scrutiny.

www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-us-embassy-cables-live-updates

Live news - JA's arrest this morning

Oh dear he is fucked now.

He's a dead man, I'm sure of it, strange death while in custody or committing suicide in prison, which bullshit is it going to be this time and what will the people do about it? nothing just another white wash inquiry if even that.

"The international scrutiny the trial would attract would serve as protection against a rigged trial."

Sorry but that made me laugh