I know, right? All sexual assaults should be taken seriously and considered. It’s ridiculous that it’s become so popular to denounce investigation into these charges.

What’s a threat to freedom and democracy is letting high profile people off the hook when they commit crimes. I’m not saying he wasn’t stitched up here, but from what he’s admitted in the past, it’s highly likely that he’s guilty.

None of this is right: I’m certain these cases are being used to catch him out, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t do it. To be honest – most accusations of rape or sexual assault get dismissed or aren’t followed through – especially when it’s against high profile people (and for the sickest example, there’s always Roman Polanski). It’s ironic that they’re only being taken seriously in this way – a way which will discredit anyone claiming sexual assault against anyone with a bit of fame, money etc.

I’d really like to live in a world where all rape survivors were treated with respect and were able to gain access to justice. Unfortunately (as I rail all the time), very few survivors do. Is special attention being paid to him because of who he is? Yes. But does that mean he shouldn’t be tried? No. If you are someone who genuinely believes sexual assault is a serious crime which should always be investigated, I’m not sure how you can be opposed to this extradition.

There are plenty of reasons to question the *allegations*, NOT charges – there have in fact been NO charges made against Assange in the 550+ days he has voluntarily surrendered to house arrest in the UK.

He is only wanted for questioning. He turned himself in voluntarily and has been in contact with Sweden for the past two years fighting to have the questioning take place on UK soil. This is because Sweden have very direct extradition procedures with the US and Assange and his lawyers fear he will be extradited to the US, where there have been public cries by officials and media for his arrest and even assassination on the grounds of espionage and even treason, despite not being an American.

Assange is a reporter and his crime is publishing information which among other things revealed that the US were not disclosing the death of tens of thousands of civilians in Iraq.

The allegations in Sweden are highly questionable and the events surrounding it even more so. More details on the case here: http://goo.gl/kExkG

Andrew, I’m very sorry, but I am deeply uncomfortable with anyone who says “The allegations in Sweden are highly questionable and the events surrounding it even more so.” Basically, the argument around this is “the women did not act the way I believe a rape survivor should and so the allegations are false.” As someone who works with rape survivors, I can assure you they have a variety of reactions. Stating that the survivor didn’t act like a proper victim is a common theme and I am far more comfortable with it being settled in trial.

If he is extradited to America for political crimes, I will be opposed to it. If he is extradited to answer questions about rape, I have no issue with it. You seem very unfeeling towards the dilemma of the young women involved when without further investigation, we can’t know the whole situation.

“Basically, the argument around this is “the women did not act the way I believe a rape survivor should and so the allegations are false…”

No, that is not my argument. I find it highly questionable that one of the complainants destroyed evidence. Including her web history, which pointed to an article titled: “7-step guide to taking legal revenge against one’s boyfriend.” http://goo.gl/f2vWa

As I said, believing statements about a survivor that you find questionnable. I admit, I don’t know what happened and really, neither can anyone else. There are plenty of people saying nasty things in this particular case. What I do believe is that every sexual offence allegation should be investigated and simply because I agree with someone politically, this has no bearing on whether or not they committed a crime.

You seem to disagree that every offence should be independently investigated, which places you in the company in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. If this was any other man, would you be so quick to dismiss allegations without allowing the investigation?

“You seem to disagree that every offence should be independently investigated”

On the contrary, I think it should have been investigated two years ago. Though there are only *allegations* of an offence at the moment.

“If this was any other man, would you be so quick to dismiss allegations without allowing the investigation?”

Ironically it’s the Swedish justice system which has been blocking the questioning these past 2 years. Defense lawyers for Assange said there is typically no problem in having investigators travel within Europe to initiate a questioning, and the fact that Sweden has refused to do so in this case, opting instead to keep Assange under house arrest until they could get extradition to Sweden is highly suspect.

More on the odd behaviour of the prosecution can be found here: http://justice4assange.com/Prosecution.html

There are a helluva lot of suspect things in this story, from the allegations Assange’s lawyers (obviously not the most impartial) to the fact that the prosecution won’t travel. But what I hope you understand is that those of us who fight for access for justice for sexual violence survivors would like to see this handled in a way which preserves these women’s access to justice as well.

Not at all, of course they should! Note “Rape” is not mentioned in article at all

They mention sex crimes, though. What’s your point?

The timing is TOTALLY coincidental. And neither I, nor anyone else who thinks he should be extradited, is ruling out the idea that he might be being set up. What we are saying is that this isn’t unpaid parking tickets here. These are serious allegations which should be investigated, regardless of political factors behind it.

But I also believe that all allegations of sexual assault should be taken seriously. I’m not going to ignore that simply because I agree with his politics. I find it deeply ironic that so many people who support Assange are deeply opposed to the Catholic Church hierarchy’s dismissal of sexual assault claims. If you really, truly believe sexual assault should always be taken seriously, that includes people you agree with politically.

If they try to extradite him to the US, I will totally be protesting with everyone else. I do actually support Wikileaks. And no, I don’t know why they’re not investigating him in the UK. But I do know that I cannot, ethically, oppose an extradition to be questioned for rape.

I was being sarcastic on the coincidental timing thing. ;-)

It does sound like you’re absolutely dismissing the idea that rape allegations should be investigated. It is innocent until proven guilty, but I’m not sure how thinking it should be investigated violates that principle in any way?

I’m sorry, are you talking about the women involved? Because I’ve heard plenty of people question them, but I think most feeling human beings believe that it’s tacky to say nasty things about women who have possibly been raped. The place for their “integrity to be questioned” is the courtroom.

Oh, sorry, I assumed you had familiarity with the case outside of this article.

The two incidents which are being investigated (obviously with the corollary that if they are true) are quite serious. One of having sex with a woman while asleep and then restraining her when she woke up and then another saying that when a condom broke/was removed, the woman no longer wished to continue and he ignored her.

I have no idea if these allegations are true, but yes, I would qualify both types of incident as rape and certainly as something which deserves further investigation.