Assange lawyers could appeal to Trump

Lawyers have raised the prospect of appealing to US President-elect Donald Trump to end Julian Assange's criminal investigation.

Assange

A demonstrator holds a banner 'USA Hands off Assange' as he protest in front of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, Britain, 14 November 2016. Source: EPA

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.

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 says it will make a decision about continuing its investigation.

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 added that 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."

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2 min read
Published 16 November 2016 8:44pm
Updated 16 November 2016 9:28pm
Source: AAP


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