But... Let's just suppose that he is indeed guilty - I mean, there isn't anything out there about his person that says he isn't the kind of "bad boy" who in terms of sexual encounters simply takes what he wants with force. What happens with Wikileak's reputation and the political weight of the so-far released documents if he really is guilty?
Suspicious timing for sure. It's a common tactic by authorities to use alleged sex crime as a way to attempt to discredit a person. Sex crime allegations seem to attract the [repulsive] "no smoke without fire" sentiment amongst the general public - meaning the accused is never be fully exonerated.
But, in any case, whether he is guilty or not has zero effect on the validity of the leaks.
From what I've read so far, it boils down to this: the two women in question only accuse him of not using a condom when allegedly they only consented to sex with a condom. There was no "forcing them to sexual actions" involved, as the sex was allegedly consensual. At least, that's what has been reported so far.
"Rape" may technically be the correct term under Swedish law, despite being used all over the world under vastly different meanings.
Alas, similar to, by now, nearly everything having to do with Wikileaks, how people view this is vastly dependant on their personal opinions about Julian Assange and the ethics of what Wikileaks does in general. This has nothing to do with 'criminal justice' anymore, it's just a farce (going both ways).
Edit: Also, this is NOT an international arrest warrant. According to Interpol itself, it is a "red notice", calling for help in identifying and apprehending Mr Assange, not an arrest warrant.
See http://www.interpol.int/Public/Wanted/Default.asp
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[ 3.4 ms ] story [ 27.8 ms ] threadBut, in any case, whether he is guilty or not has zero effect on the validity of the leaks.
"Rape" may technically be the correct term under Swedish law, despite being used all over the world under vastly different meanings.
Alas, similar to, by now, nearly everything having to do with Wikileaks, how people view this is vastly dependant on their personal opinions about Julian Assange and the ethics of what Wikileaks does in general. This has nothing to do with 'criminal justice' anymore, it's just a farce (going both ways).
Edit: Also, this is NOT an international arrest warrant. According to Interpol itself, it is a "red notice", calling for help in identifying and apprehending Mr Assange, not an arrest warrant. See http://www.interpol.int/Public/Wanted/Default.asp