Julian Assange faces Swedish backlash

21 Aug 2012, 6:19 am   -   Source: Rhiannon Elston, SBS
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Julian Assange's speech from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy has sparked anger in Sweden, where many see his failure to mention the sexual assault allegations as dodging the real issue.

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Julian Assange's speech last night has sparked anger in Sweden, where many see his failure to address the sexual assault allegations against him as dodging the issue.

Swedish media has also reacted critically to the Wikileaks founder's latest announcement, says Per Nyberg, correspondent for Sweden's TV4, who is based in London. 

"Here in the Swedish press, they've been rather disappointed with Julian Assange, that he's almost lost touch with reality." he said.

Twitter users in the Scandinavian country also reacted with anger.

Some called his speech a "complete farce," says Nyberg.

"One person even suggested on Twitter that police should have used a lasso to catch him to drag him out of the embassy, or even flood the embassy with rotten fish to get him out of there."
 
Many demanded to know why he has been allowed to escape justice, says Nyberg.

Swedish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anders Jörle says Julian Assange's current position in the Ecuadorian embassy in the UK makes it "legally impossible" for him to answer to his accusations.

"He won't go to Sweden, and that's the problem. If you are charged with a criminal investigation, you are not the one who is declaring where this investigation is going to take place." 

"Why should Mr Assange be treated differently to anyone else?"

Meanwhile the Swedish foreign ministry says there has been no request from the United States to extradite Julian Assange should he arrive in Sweden for questioning over sexual assault allegations.


Swedish authorities also say they will not make an exception and travel to London to interview the WikiLeaks founder.

Mr Assange has exhausted all legal avenues in Britain to stop being extradited to Sweden.

In a bid to stop that happening, Mr Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London two months ago.

He has now been granted asylum in the South American country but is unable to leave the safety of the embassy as he faces immediate arrest by British police.

In a dramatic balcony scene at the Ecuadorian embassy (Sunday) Mr Assange made several demands, including that the United States stop persecuting whistle-blowers.

WikiLeaks' publication of hundreds of thousands of confidential diplomatic files has angered the United States government.

Mr Assange's backers fear he could be tried on espionage charges and even face the death penalty if he ends up in the U-S.

The Brisbane-born 41-year-old has denied the sexual assault allegations in Sweden and says the accusations against him are politically motivated.

However, at no time in Mr Assange's statement from the embassy balcony, did he mention the Swedish case, nor did he indicate what his next move might be.

Julian Assange , Rhiannon Elston SBS

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SPA Competence ?

Richard - from Hawthorn East, 9 months ago

I don't much care what Swedes think. It was the incompetence of their authorities that have caused this situation. Yes, be more infuriated, you're welcome.....

Mr

mark harton myers - from metung, 9 months ago

is it not self evident, that the Swedish case against Assange, is NOT rape. It is SEXUAL MISCONDUCT or "sex by surprise", a law unheard of outside of Sweden. In that, he is accused of not wearing a condom, which, under Swedish law, is a crime punishable by a fine of 5000 Kronor ($715). He is not facing jail in the current circumstances. Now, this is where it gets interesting. Why would the the Swedish Govt issue an interpol Red notice, for a $715 fine, of which, their are no charges yet laid?

ms

trish smith - from rosebud, 9 months ago

Assange was cleared IN SWEDEN of these (or similar) allegations before he left there . What possessed the female accuser to bring these spurious charges against him? His European off-sider (forgot his forgettable name) did an aboutface too..Sour grapes perhaps..as for his "self-centreness" - what true HERO is not single-minded? His Accuser was quite happy to be in her "rapist's" company after the SO-CALLED rape. I could not believe that a Scandinavian country would be such an American syncophant

Freedom of speech is at risk

Franco - from Bardwell Park, 9 months ago

USA is after Assange, and the issue is freedom of speech. Sweden has refused to offer guarantee that Julian will not be extradited to USA (should not be, as no crime has been committed by Assange in american soil). If extradited, some other countries can claim the same right (China can try to extradite some dissidents) Meanwhile, our authorities in cahoots with the americans, have failed to protect one of us.

Just a concern citizen

Rovert - from Sydney, 9 months ago

Here is the true deal, try to be in a Leader of a country's position like Australia and takcling some very delicate and confidential plans for your country and then suddenly here's some arrogant person from other country who's trying to leak all the info and delicate plan in the eyes of the public like what Assage did, are you going to hug and kiss him and be delighted of what he did? Common people, there are info that are for public and there are some that are not.. There are laws that governs

Why we need Julian Assange

Ross - from Brisbane, 9 months ago

Julian is a political figure now, a house hold name, the mainstream media are trying to bring him down. Why because the powers that be do not want this kind of publicity like they had in the late 60's & 70's. They do not want this, Julian is like what John Lennon was to the world and others around that time. The powers that be want Julian Silenced because they know the kind of historier Julian can bring. We all need to get behind him for the right he is bringing to the WORLD.

typical SBS stooges

kevin - from Armidale, 9 months ago

If there was any wonder what sort of creatures infest the SBS just read these posts. Only one person recognises the rule of law..

Correction

mike j - from somewhere, 9 months ago

Previous quote should obviously be attributed to Anders Jörle, not Per Nyberg. Apologies. So this willful blindness is coming from the Swedish Government itself, not (just) the media.

"Why should Mr Assange be treated differently to anyone else?" - Per Nyberg

mike j - from somewhere, 9 months ago

Wow... someone fill this guy in on current events. Ever heard of WikiLeaks, stooge? Is this 'reporter' seriously claiming to have missed the political subtext of this case? Do they even report it in Sweden? Typical news media intentional, deceptive stupidity. Comments sections are becoming more accurate than the articles. We truly live in the Dark Age of journalism. If you're reading this, it's only because SBS forgot to gag dissenting opinions today.

Unjust olitical games

Vigilant citizen - from sydney, 9 months ago

Its just silly how all of a sudden a guy gets accused of a charge when he is against a big country. People are blind, naive or just hypocrites not to accept the truth. It seems too stupid an idea that a risk taker like Assange will have sexual relations without consent or force himself on anyone. He doesn't even look like a rapist. Anyway if Sweden wants a case they can easily some to the Embassy and inquire. Stop being a SLAVE to Uncle Sam, Be true a just and true citizen of the World.

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