04-04-2013, 12:33 PM
Not yet sure what to make of this judge. Assange was rightly aghast that a Swedish appeals court judge would travel to Australia to discuss his case. It was noted by local legal beagles as 'highly unusual'. Is he sent by Sweden as a way to extricate themselves from an awkward situation they no longer wish to participate in? Is he sent by Sweden (and/or others) to create a false sense of security that the case is now in tatters and Assange really has nothing to worry about so that more pressure can be brought to bare on his extradition there to deal with a formality only to be rendered to the US for some secret grand jury trial? Will this change any thing?
Quote:Swedish judge says allegations against Assange are 'a mess'
By Anne Sewell Apr 3, 2013 - 15 hours ago in World
14 comments
Adelaide - A top Swedish judge has told the media that the case against Julian Assange is "a mess." He has further defended the release of classified information by WikiLeaks, saying "It should never be a crime to make known crime of a state."
According to the Australian Associated Press, Stefan Lindskog was speaking to an audience at a public lecture at Adelaide University. Lindskog is one of 16 justices working for the Supreme Court in Sweden, and reportedly he listed legal obstacles to extraditing the 41-year-old Australian to the United States from Sweden. He said that the case in Sweden against Assange has turned into a legal "mess," and was critical of the Swedish criminal investigation, saying that "Basically, I think there are some misunderstandings, especially when it comes to the issue of extradition." Lindskog also indicated that the Swedish courts may rule against sending the WikiLeaks founder to the US, due to some conditions of an existing extradition treaty between Sweden and the USA. "Extradition shall not be granted when alleged crimes [are] military or political in nature," Lindskog said. Further, the judge said that it was debatable whether Assange has actually committed a crime under Swedish law. "What is classified under US law is probably not classified under Swedish law, and enemies to the US may not be enemies to Sweden," he was quoted by AAP as saying. Lindskog stressed that the extensive media coverage of the case has brought about public distrust in the legal system. "I think it is a mess," he said. Besides the support for Assange, Judge Lindskog apparently also supports Pfc. Bradley Manning, who is facing a court martial for releasing classified information to WikiLeaks. He hopes that Manning will go through a fair trial. Lindskog went on to praise Assange's public information campaign, saying, "He'll be thought of as a person who made public some pieces of classified information to the benefit of mankind." "It should never be a crime to make known (a) crime of a state," he added. WikiLeaks founder Assange remains holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he has stayed since applying for, and receiving, political asylum in that country last year. He is wanted for questioning on the sexual allegations in Sweden, but has avoided extradition to Sweden as it is feared that should he travel to Stockholm, he would then be sent on to the US on espionage charges and possibly even the death penalty for the release of thousands of classified US diplomatic cables, some about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"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.