03-09-2010, 02:52 PM
Summary: The accusations against Wikileaks’ director Julian Assange grows even stranger. Since it’s bizarre, perhaps an info op by the US government, the mainstream media gives it little coverage. Nothing to see here. Move along, fellow sheep. Links to other posts in this series appear at the end.
Background: Two ex-girlfriends file rape charges in Sweden on the same day, about incidents occurring in the same week, against an enemy of the US government then seeking residency in Sweden to protect himself and Wikileaks. The case has moved from the hands of prosecutor Maria Haljebo Kjellstrand, to Chief Prosecutor Eva Finné, to Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny.
The latest development, from the Swedish prosecutor’s website:
If you don’t want to think for yourself, Heather Horn of the Atlantic writes “Who to Believe in the WikiLeaks Rape Case?“, citing five reliable sources (including Gawker and Jonah Goldberg of National Review) — all of whom support the Party line. Nothing to see here, sheep. Move along.
Updates
Background: Two ex-girlfriends file rape charges in Sweden on the same day, about incidents occurring in the same week, against an enemy of the US government then seeking residency in Sweden to protect himself and Wikileaks. The case has moved from the hands of prosecutor Maria Haljebo Kjellstrand, to Chief Prosecutor Eva Finné, to Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny.
The latest development, from the Swedish prosecutor’s website:
Director of Public Prosecution Ms Marianne Ny has decided on the request for review in the Assange matter. The investigation concerning rape will be reopened. There is reason to believe that a crime has been committed. Considering information available at present, my judgement is that the classification of the crime is rape. The basis for further considerations is not sufficient at the moment. More investigations are neccessary before a final decision can be made. … Based on the information available, the crimes in question come under the heading of sexual coercion and sexual molestation, respectively. Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny will be leading the further investigations. She will be assisted by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Ms Erika Lejnefors.
The review was requested by the prominent (expensive?) attorney hired by the women, Claes Borgstroem, who earns his pay by keeping the heat on Assange.“I have appealed the decision by the prosecutor I have asked a higher ranked, special department in the prosecution’s office of Sweden to reconsider the (prosecutor’s) decision {not to prosecute for rape}.” {AFP}
Update: “The lawyer for both women appealed, asking for the rape charge to be reinstated and the molestation charge to be upgraded to include a sexual component.” {CNN}
Now for the really strange news: see the Daily Mail’s excerpts from the police reports. The pentagon-friendly headline: “Supporters dismissed rape accusations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange – but the two women involved tell a different story“. But the details, appearing only at the end of the long article, tell a different story. Read it and decide for yourself.Update: “The lawyer for both women appealed, asking for the rape charge to be reinstated and the molestation charge to be upgraded to include a sexual component.” {CNN}
If you don’t want to think for yourself, Heather Horn of the Atlantic writes “Who to Believe in the WikiLeaks Rape Case?“, citing five reliable sources (including Gawker and Jonah Goldberg of National Review) — all of whom support the Party line. Nothing to see here, sheep. Move along.
Updates
- For a masterful summary see “Wikileaks, Assange, and the Strange Swedish Accusations” by James Fallows at the Atlantic.
- For a description of the legal protections Sweden provides and Wikileaks needs see “A Swedish Shield, Unraised“, Clint Hendler, Columbia Journalism Review, 2 September 2010
- Another perspective: “Fallows, others, taking another look at Assange’s ‘demise’“, Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, AntiWar, 2 September 2010
- Sad news about the CIA – Underestimating the skill of the government at covert ops?
- The full story of the rape charges against Julian Assange of Wikileaks, a possible covert op. – The key post, telling the story.
- Update to the Wikeleaks rape story, and why it’s important – If a covert op, it’s working.
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.