The legal team for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will ask the incoming Trump administration to end the United States’ investigation into his organization.
Attorney Jennifer Robinson called a standing criminal probe into Assange’s conduct an “absurd politicized situation,” according to comments first published by the London Evening Standard. “During that time we have repeatedly called for the investigation to be closed on the grounds it violates the First Amendment and places a chill on freedom of speech and reporting.
“Through U.S. counsel, we had reached out to the Obama administration, most recently just a few months ago, and we will continue to do so with future U.S. administrations until the investigation is closed,” Robinson said.
President-elect Trump frequently cited WikiLeaks disclosures on the campaign trail as proof that Hillary Clinton and her associates are corrupt.
I hope people are looking at the disgraceful behavior of Hillary Clinton as exposed by WikiLeaks. She is unfit to run.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2016
Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012, avoiding extradition to Sweden on charges of sexual assault. He has denied the charges, and said that returning to the country could result in his extradition to the U.S. on charges that he exposed secrets obtained from the American government and other global leaders.
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Robinson added that Sweden should drop the charges of sexual assault. “It is important to remember that he has never been charged and has already been cleared once by [a] previous prosecutor,” Robinson said. “We hope and expect that the [current] prosecutor will come to the same conclusion.”
Assistant Swedish prosecutor Ingrid Isgren and police inspector Cecilia Redell this week interviewed Assange in the embassy for the first time since that country’s investigation began. In a statement, they said the investigation was “ongoing” and “subject to confidentiality.”
“This confidentiality also applies according to Ecuadorian legislation for the investigative measures conducted at the embassy,” they added. “Therefore, the prosecutors cannot provide information concerning details of the investigation.”
The decision of whether the U.S. should absolve Assange of wrongdoing will ultimately fall to the Justice Department and the attorney general appointed by Trump. Rudy Giuliani, an early favorite for the position, this week ruled out the possibility of taking the job. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has emerged as an alternative prospect.
