Swedish prosecutor attempting to extradite WikiLeaks founder to Sweden for alleged sex crimes has been accused of being biased against men
Swedish prosecutor attempting to extradite WikiLeaks founder to Sweden for alleged sex crimes has been accused of being biased against men
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Retired Swedish appeal court judge Brita Sundberg-Weitman launched an outspoken attack on the authorities responsible for an arrest warrant in the whistleblower's name.
Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange protest outside the court, in south-east London yesterday
She was flown to London by Assange's legal team to give evidence supporting their argument that extraditing him would be a "flagrant denial of justice".
Speaking in the witness box at Woolwich Crown Court, sitting as Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, she said she could not understand the "attitude" of prosecutor Marianne Ny.
Sundberg-Weitman, a published academic and associate professor at Stockholm University, accused Ny of having a "rather biased view against men".
She added, "She seems to take it for granted that everybody under prosecution is guilty. I think she is so preoccupied with the situation of battered women and raped women that she has lost balance."
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The claims were made on the first day of a two-day hearing that will decide whether Assange, a 39-year-old Australian, should be sent to Sweden.
He is wanted by police over allegations he sexually assaulted one woman and raped another during a visit to Stockholm last August.
Assange's legal team argue extradition would breach his human rights and fear he could ultimately be taken against his will to the United States and executed.
But a barrister representing the Swedish authorities said the fears are unfounded, the proper legal process is being followed and Assange has a case to answer.
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Daniel Domscheit-Berg, a cryptic computer scientist, WikiLeaks' best-known face after Assange himself will reveal never-disclosed details about the group's operations in his new book Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World's Most Dangerous Website.
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WikiLeaks plans to launch an online store that sells branded paraphernalia including T-shirts, hoodies, mugs and tote bags. All profits from the sales will go to WikiLeaks.
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