Swedish prosecutors are on Monday questioning Wikileaks founder Julian Assange as part of their investigation into sex-crime allegations that were originally filed in 2010.
The prosecuting unit had been attempting for years to question Assange. The team has to make a decision about whether to press charges in the case and believe the interview will answer many of their probing inquiries.
As it stands, two women accuse Assange of sexual misconduct, which includes rape, in Sweden.
Assange rejects the accusations and has been harbored in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for the last four years. He initially requested asylum there to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning.
Since taking refuge, the statute of limitations has expired on three out of four of the sexual misconduct accusations. The investigation into the rape accusation still stands, however.
Last week, Swedish officials disclosed they had agreed on an arrangement with Assange and Ecuador on how to interview Assange. Swedish prosecutors and police are to be present for the questioning, expected to take place over several days and set to be asked by an Ecuadorian official.
The Swedish prosecutors have also requested Assange take a DNA test.
Civil rights activists believe Assange is being “hounded” due to his whistleblowing activities linked to the actions of major global governments.
The sex crime allegations came to light shortly after Assange and Wikipedia were known the world over for releasing hundreds of thousands of pages of classified government documents.
One Swedish woman claims Assange willfully damaged a condom and pinned her down during sex. A second woman said Assange had sex with her without a condom while she was sleeping.
In Sweden, having sexual relations with a drunk, unconscious or sleeping person can source a rape conviction that is punishable by up to six years in jail.
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