Julian Assange Lawyers Set To Appeal To Donald Trump To End Criminal Probe

Julian Assange Lawyers Set To Appeal To Donald Trump To End Criminal Probe

Julian Assange's legal team has raised the prospect of appealing to US President-elect Donald Trump to end a criminal investigation into the WikiLeaks founder.

Mr Assange was interviewed inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London this week in the presence of prosecutors from Sweden, where he faces a sex allegation, which he denies.

The Swedish Prosecution Authority said it will take a view on the continuation of its investigation.

Mr Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson said the WikiLeaks founder had co-operated fully with the interview and hopes the Swedish prosecutor will give "impartial and objective" consideration so the matter can be closed.

She told the Press Association: "It is important to remember that he has never been charged and has already been cleared once by the previous prosecutor.

"We hope and expect that the prosecutor will come to the same conclusion."

She added that Mr Assange had been under criminal investigation in the US for his publishing work with WikiLeaks since 2010 under the Obama administration.

"During that time we have repeatedly called for the investigation to be closed on the grounds it violates the First Amendment , and places a chill on freedom of speech and reporting.

"Through US counsel, we had reached out to the Obama administration, most recently just a few months ago, and we will continue to do so with future US administrations until the investigation is closed."

Ms Robinson said the "absurd politicised situation" must come to an end.

Sweden's assistant prosecutor Ingrid Isgren and police inspector Cecilia Redell were present while questions were put to Mr Assange on Monday and Tuesday.

They made no comment as they returned to Sweden, but a statement said: "As the investigation is ongoing, it is subject to confidentiality. This confidentiality also applies according to Ecuadorian legislation for the investigative measures conducted at the embassy. Therefore, the prosecutors cannot provide information concerning details of the investigation."

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