Julian Assange: Rape investigation against Wikileaks founder dropped
Mr Assange could finally leave the embassy where he has been holed up for five years - but could still face extradition to the US.
Friday 19 May 2017 16:48, UK
The Swedish prosecutor is dropping its investigation into an allegation of rape against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
He has been in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since June 2012, claiming political asylum in order to escape a European Arrest Warrant over the claim.
Mr Assange has not set foot outside the building, ultimately fearing he could be extradited to the US over Wikileaks' publishing of huge amounts of classified information.
However, reporters have now gathered outside the Knightsbridge embassy in the expectation he could finally leave after four years and 334 days.
The Australian, 45, posted a picture of himself smiling and looking relaxed following the announcement.
He also tweeted: "Detained for 7 years without charge by while my children grew up and my name was slandered. I do not forgive or forget."
Mr Assange has always denied the rape allegation.
His accuser said via her lawyer that she was "shocked" the investigation had ended and called it a "scandal".
A statement from the prosecutor said: "Director of Public Prosecution, Ms Marianne Ny, has today decided to discontinue the investigation regarding suspected rape (lesser degree) by Julian Assange."
"He has tried to dodge all attempts to avoid Swedish and British legal authorities. My assessment is the transfer cannot be carried out in a foreseeable future," Ms Ny told reporters.
"At this point, all possibilities to conduct the investigation are exhausted."
Mr Assange was also being investigated over sexual molestation and unlawful coercion - but that ended due to a time restriction two years ago.
London's Metropolitan Police said Mr Assange is still wanted for a "much less serious" offence - referring to a breach of bail in June 2012.
"The MPS will provide a level of resourcing which is proportionate to that offence," said a statement.
CIA director Mike Pompeo has described Wikileaks as a "hostile intelligence service", fuelling fears by Mr Assange's supporters that America will push hard to extradite him.
Wikileaks tweeted on Friday morning: "UK refuses to confirm or deny whether it has already received a US extradition warrant for Julian Assange. Focus now moves to UK."
Ecuador's government asked the UK to give Mr Assange safe passage in order to allow him asylum in the South American nation.
Prime Minister Theresa May earlier said any extradition case would be looked at on a "case-by-case basis".
Mr Assange previously said he would go to the US if Wikileaks' source Chelsea Manning was granted clemency.
Towards the end of his presidency, Barack Obama decided she should be freed and the
Ms Manning fed the organisation hundreds of thousands of classified military reports on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
She also leaked messages from US embassies and consulates around the world - the so-called 'Cablegate' expose.