Swedish prosecutors seek to question WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in UK

By CNN

 

Swedish prosecutors have asked Julian Assange's legal representatives whether the WikiLeaks founder would consent to be interviewed in London and have his DNA taken via a swab.

 

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where prosecutors want to question him about 2010 allegations that he raped one woman and sexually molested another.

 

Swedish prosecutors have previously balked at coming to Britain to question Assange.

 

However, a number of the crimes Julian Assange is suspected of will be subject to a statute of limitation in August 2015, according to a statement from Marianne Ny, the director of public prosecutions. "If Assange gives his consent, the prosecutor will promptly submit a request for legal assistance to the British authorities to further continue the investigation," the statement said.

 

A request will also be made to the Ecuadorian authorities for permission to "perform investigative measures" at its London embassy, the statement said. Ecuador granted Assange political asylum in 2012.

 

Assange's defense lawyer, Per E. Samuelsson, said he called Assange on Friday morning with the news from the prosecution authority -- and that in principle they viewed the request positively.

 

"I think I woke him up, but he knew I was calling with news about the case since I called so early," Samuelsson said. "He was, of course, very happy that something is finally happening but he is irritated that it has taken such a long time."

 

This is a step that Assange and his team have been requesting for four years, Samuelsson said.