Swedish prosecutors have finished their questioning of the Australian WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after two days over an allegation of rape from six years ago.
The Swedish prosecutors, seeking Assange’s statement for the first time concluded their questioning inside the Ecuador embassy on Tuesday afternoon local time but left without making any public comment.
Such was the diplomatic and political machinations at play, Assange was questioned by the Ecuador prosecutor at the behest of the Swedes who were in the same room where Assange has taken refuge over four years ago. Assange’s Swedish lawyer was not permitted to be in the room, raising concerns by the WikiLeaks camp.
Assange has refused to leave the sanctuary of the embassy fearing he will be extradited to the United States for releasing confidential US cables back in 2010.
While the 45-year-old WikiLeaks chief was questioned on Monday and Tuesday, a huge media pack outside the embassy amused itself by photographing Assange’s cat, called EmbassyCat, which was dressed in a collar and tie.
The Swedish prosecutors office said in a statement issued from Stockholm that the matter was still subject to confidentiality.
“After this report, the prosecutors will take a view on the continuation of the investigation,” it said.
Assange has continued to maintain his innocence of all the allegations and has not been formally charged.
Assange has continued to head WikiLeaks while ensconced at the embassy, which is adjacent to Harrods in central London. During the recent US presidential election WikiLeaks released a raft of emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign, prompting enthusiastic comments about the company from Donald Trump.
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