WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lost a second bid to overturn a Swedish arrest warrant in a sexual assault probe amid a fight to leave Ecuadors embassy in London where he sought asylum more than two years ago. <\/p>\n
The Court of Appeal in Stockholm said in a statement today that Assange is suspected on probable cause of crimes including rape and that there is a great risk that he will evade legal proceedings or punishment. <\/p>\n
Assange sought refuge with Ecuador in June 2012, after exhausting options in U.K. courts to avoid extradition to face questioning on allegations of rape and sexual molestation during a 2010 visit to Sweden. The Australian national, who says hes innocent and hasnt been charged with a crime, has refused to return to Sweden, citing risks he will be extradited to the U.S. over the release of secret documents by WikiLeaks. <\/p>\n
There is no reason to set aside the detention solely because Julian Assange is in an embassy and the detention order cannot be enforced, the court said. The Court of Appeal considers that Julian Assanges stay at the embassy shall not count in his favor since he can himself choose to bring his stay there to an end. <\/p>\n
Per E. Samuelson, a lawyer for Assange in Stockholm, said he would appeal the ruling to Swedens Supreme Court. <\/p>\n
We are disappointed, but we see the light in the tunnel, Samuelson said in a phone interview. <\/p>\n
Assange said on Aug. 18 that he is planning to leave the embassy soon. Assange, who risks arrest as soon as he steps outside the building, said the ordeal has caused him heart and lung problems and 7 million pounds ($11 million) in legal costs. <\/p>\n
Assange is accused in Sweden of failing to use a condom with one woman and having sex with another while she was asleep. The women, both supporters of WikiLeaks, let him stay at their homes during a speaking tour in 2010. <\/p>\n
The Court of Appeal also criticized the prosecutors, saying their failure to examine alternative avenues is not in line with their obligation -- in the interests of everyone concerned -- to move the preliminary investigation forward. The court said that the investigation into the suspected crimes has come to a halt. <\/p>\n
Appellate Court Judge Niklas Waagnert said it is now up to the prosecutors to decide how to pursue the case. <\/p>\n
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