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Why WikiLeaks' Julian Assange might prefer Sweden
The WikiLeaks founder might find it easier to see off accusations of rape if he
were to return to Sweden
* Deborah Orr, Guardian staff byline
*
o Deborah Orr
o The Guardian, Thursday 9 December 2010
Why is Julian Assange so reluctant to return to Sweden, where the number of
rape accusations is so much higher than most other European countries, but rape
convictions are among the lowest? Awful as it is to doubt a woman's claims of
sexual assault, any prosecution would seem to be on questionable ground.
According to reports, one woman claims that a crime was committed against her
because the consensual condom was broken, she says deliberately by Assange.
Just weird, especially when she remained "thrilled" to be hosting a party for
him the next day.
The other reportedly says Assange had sex with her consensually at night, but
non-consensually and without a condom when she hadn't achieved
consciousness in the morning. (It certainly puts a new slant on the unfortunate
NHS advertising slogan: "Wake up to rape.") The second woman didn't get upset
until she had met and exchanged notes with the first one. Neither did the
first, for that matter.
Assange hardly comes over as Prince Charming, but Lord knows that's not a
crime. Meanwhile, Sweden offers some of the most powerful source protection
legislation in the world. Assange should high-tail it off to Scandinavia, clear
his name (since he professes innocence), and in the transparent and open way he
promotes so passionately. Then he should claim political asylum. He's safer in
Sweden than in Britain, I fear.
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