Sweden Says No Political Pressure Spurred Assange Arrest

Although the timing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s arrest and proposed extradition to Sweden seemed a tad conspicuous, what with the site’s recent big release that angered and embarrassed several powers that be around the globe, Sweden is denying that political pressure played a part in his apprehension.

One Jonas Björk, correspondent for TV4, echoed the sentiment expressed by Sweden’s justice department: “I believe the politicians when they say they haven’t had any pressure from abroad,” he said Thursday. –KA

The Guardian:

Swedish media and politicians have rejected speculation that political pressure from abroad was exerted on the country’s justice system to secure Julian Assange’s arrest and extradition. Martin Valfridsson, a spokesman for the Swedish minister of justice, Beatrice Ask, said yesterday the suggestion was “completely wrong”.

“As far as I know no such pressure has been put on Sweden,” he said.

Jonas Björk, a correspondent with the TV4 channel, said the idea that the original rape allegations were a part of a conspiracy to attack the WikiLeaks founder stretched credibility.

“For it to have been a honey-trap operation would have been so complicated that I can’t see how it could have been pulled off; if it was, then I tip my hat to the CIA,” he said.

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