FBI has active criminal case against WikiLeaks’ Assange – court documents
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains the target of “a multi-subject investigation” by the FBI, new leaks have revealed. Assange has been unable to leave London’s Ecuadorian Embassy since June 2012 amid fears he will handed over to US jurisdiction.
Four years after the whistleblowing site was founded, the FBI still has “an active and ongoing” criminal case open against Assange, court papers leaked to Australian newspaper the Age have revealed.
#Assange targetted by FBI probe, US court documents reveal | The Age http://t.co/yHefu5wePn
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) May 20, 2014
According to documents filed with the US District Court in
Washington, DC, the “main, multi-subject, criminal
investigation of the [Department of Justice] and FBI remains open
and pending" making it necessary "to withhold law
enforcement records related to this civilian investigation.”
In addition, lawyers from the Justice Department told the Court
that there “had been developments in the investigation over
the last year.”
The US Department of Justice opened an investigation into the
activities of WikiLeaks in 2010 following the arrest of Private
Chelsea Manning (formerly Bradley Manning). The former
intelligence analyst released a treasure trove of classified
military documents to WikiLeaks while he was working in Iraq.
Manning has since been charged under the Espionage Act and
sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Assange always maintained the US authorities were preparing a
criminal case against him over WikiLeaks’ publication of
classified government material. However, last November the
Washington Post reported, citing US officials, that it was
unlikely Assange would be charged under the Espionage Act because
it would mean a number of US news organizations would also have
to be prosecuted.
Officials said unlike former CIA contractor Edward Snowden and
Chelsea Manning, Assange did not leak classified information, he
merely published data that had already been disclosed on
WikiLeaks.
Assange argues otherwise, maintaining there is a “99.97
percent chance” he will be indicted if he leaves the
Ecuadorian Embassy in London. The whistleblower was forced to
take refuge in the embassy in June 2012 after a warrant for his
extradition to Sweden was issued. Assange is wanted in the
Scandinavian country for questioning over allegations of the rape
and sexual assault of two women.
The WikiLeaks founder denies the accusations, claiming they are
politically-motivated and that the Swedish authorities will hand
him over to the Americans if he is extradited.
The London Metropolitan Police have so far shelled out 5.3 million
pounds ($9 million) to keep the Ecuadorian Embassy guarded 24
hours a day since Assange took refuge there.
