I think that even if the charges don't stick, and they probably won't, it's a smear campaign to try to make him & Wikileaks look bad.

So instead of people seeing Wikileaks as some kinda organization that's leaking documents to increase accountability, they see it as some kinda radical group of extremists lead by a anti-American rapist.

Lawyers are expensive. It doesn't matter if the charges stick. It's going to cost lots of $$$

They're probably acting pro bono.

The morons at CNN (can't remember who it was exactly) were crying about how Assange was being put up in a "mansion" with and "extensive wine collection" and they were pissed that he would still have access to the internet because "that's how he perpetrated his crimes". The guy was jailed for the rape allegations, not anything related to Wikileaks. I think this is part of the reason he is in jail - to confuse people into believing that he's in jail for the leaks (because they can't actually jail him for that), and discourage others from following in his footsteps.

Thing is, regardless of where he goes in Europe it'll be Britain's decision if he gets extradited, because we're the original arresting country.

America will probably try and get Assange on espionage charges, but as far as I know that carries a potential death penalty. We won't extradite him if there's a danger to his life.

Britain arrested Assange on behalf of Sweden (he is not accused of anything in the UK). If Britain extradites him to Sweden and new charges appear from the US, then technically they can extradite him. It would be different if he was accused of something in the UK.

That's not how it works here. If we send him to Sweden then we decide where he goes (if any where) after that.

Doesn't matter where the charges originate, we are the first extradition country, so it's our decision.

I'm not so sure and neither is Assanges legal defence (according to news reports). It would entirely depend on the precise extradition treaty between Sweden and the UK.

Hope you are right.

We wouldn't kill him, that would make him stronger. Let him go insane in solitary confinement. Without media to talk to, he'd go batshit.

derp.

I definitely have to agree with you on this! Thats how it seems. He should have been let out of jail by now.

No allegations? I mean I know it's all bollocks, but I thought they got some girl to testify -- and apparently she has a history of controversial accusations.

No source, just what I heard from a friend.

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Don't forget the subtle superiority with the condescending 'only thing that makes sense'