Revealed: Assange ‘rape’ accuser linked to notorious CIA operative

[Fire Walk With Me]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/06/assange-rape-accuser-cia-ties/

One of the women accusing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of sex crimes appears to have worked with a group that has connections to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

James D. Catlin, a lawyer who recently represented Assange, said the sex assault investigation into the WikiLeaks founder is based on claims he didn’t use condoms during sex with two Swedish women.

Swedish prosecutors told AOL News last week that Assange was not wanted for rape as has been reported, but for something called “sex by surprise” or “unexpected sex.”

One accuser, Anna Ardin, may have “ties to the US-financed anti-Castro and anti-communist groups,” according to Israel Shamir and Paul Bennett, writing for CounterPunch.

(More at the link. And for the record, I am not a rape apologist.)

[Donald Ian Rankin]

1. So she must be lying, then. Julian Assange: the only probable rapist whose victims it's OK to smear.

This is disgusting and contemptible.

[pnwmom]

2. This is very old "news" that tells us nothing. The woman is the one being smeared here.

She is a leftist, anti-Castro person who belonged to an old organization which also included among its membership a terrorist. There is no suggestion that she even knew the terrorist, just that she belonged to the same anti-Castro org that the terrorist belonged to in 1976.

This "news" is nothing new -- Assange and his attorneys have been saying this for years. They've also been saying that she bragged about her conquest. Now, why would a CIA agent who was planning to take Assange down with a sexual accusation brag about her conquest?

That doesn't make any sense.

It also doesn't make any sense that a CIA agent trying to take him down would tell the story she did, of a situation that didn't even qualify to be charged under the country's rape laws. Why didn't she make up more damning details, if she was making it up? A CIA agent could have done a much better job of taking him down than she has.

[Fire Walk With Me]

3. I'm waiting for more information, but the trend is compelling. n/t

[pnwmom]

8. What trend? If there's more "news" of this quality --

that the woman belonged to a Cuban org that a known terrorist (who she didn't personally know) belonged to in 1976, it won't tell us anything about this case.

And if she is a CIA person trying to attack him, then why on earth would she have sent the email bragging about her conquest, thereby undermining her claim. This makes no sense for a CIA agent, but does make sense for a woman who has been abused and is trying to rationalize what happened to her.

[Fire Walk With Me]

15. If Assange is guilty, he should be punished. Make no mistake. BUT

"Look at the bones, man!" ~Tim, an enchanter, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"

[randome]

21. She sent the email to make us THINK she was too stupid to be a CIA agent.

It's 3 level chess. Happens all the time.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[geek tragedy]

12. Why are you regurgitating stuff from Israel Shamir?

Shamir has argued that there is organized Jewish control of the media and public discourse: "The rich Jews buy media so it will cover up their (and their brethren's) misdeeds. The Jews in the media are giving protection to the rich Jews. ... In the US, even in Western Europe, no view can be proposed to the general public unless approved (after being vetted and corrected) by a Jewish group."[10] He is critical of what he considers a Jewish quest for world hegemony, having written, "Palestine is not the ultimate goal of the Jews; the world is. Palestine is just the place for world state headquarters; necessary, for otherwise the people of Europe wouldn't be magnetised like a rabbit in the headlights of a car."[9]

In 2001, Ali Abunimah and Hussein Ibish circulated an email in which they said that "from early on, some of Shamir's writings struck us as straying beyond criticism of Israel and Zionism, and crossing into the territory of implicit anti-Semitism". They urged "all our friends in the movement for Palestinian rights" to consider the effects of Shamir's writing, which includes "elements of traditional European anti-Semitic rhetoric", on their cause.[29]

He has been accused of being an antisemite and Holocaust denier,[30] with Searchlight in 2004 accusing him of connections to antisemitic publications and groups,[17] and its campaign Hope not Hate at one time listing Shamir as a "notable Holocaust denier," citing the "rabid Holocaust denial material" on his website.[31] Essays supporting the tenets of Holocaust denial, such as the alleged non-existence of gas chambers at Auschwitz, are posted on Shamir's personal website.[32]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Shamir

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. Thank You. The hypocrisy is breathtaking. This woman continues to be victimized by Assange &....

his operatives. As you say, "This is disgusting and contemptible.". The o.p. is rarely, if ever, willing to give the kind of benefit of doubt to others that he extends to Assange. There's something creepy about that.

[geek tragedy]

13. Hey, the left's favorite Holocaust Denier (Shamir) says she's a lying slut,

so who are we to disagree?

[KittyWampus]

23. there's a leftie Holocaust Denier? How did I miss this…. must investigate Shamir.

[geek tragedy]

26. Israel Shamir writes for Counterpunch and is BFFs with Assange nt

[Hissyspit]

86. "Assange claims to have only met Shamir twice; Shamir was given the same level of access to a"

"restricted set of WikiLeaks cables as dozens of other journalists around the world;"

http://wlcentral.org/node/2363

[geek tragedy]

88. Assange lied

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/nov/08/israel-shamir-julian-assange-cult-machismo

James Ball is a data journalist working for the Guardian investigations team. He joined the Guardian from Wikileaks, and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Shamir has a years-long friendship with Assange, and was privy to the contents of tens of thousands of US diplomatic cables months before WikiLeaks made public the full cache. Such was Shamir's controversial nature that Assange introduced him to WikiLeaks staffers under a false name. Known for views held by many to be antisemitic, Shamir aroused the suspicion of several WikiLeaks staffers – myself included – when he asked for access to all cable material concerning "the Jews", a request which was refused.

When questions were asked about Shamir's involvement with WikiLeaks, given his controversial background and unorthodox requests, we were told in no uncertain terms that Assange would not condone criticism of his friend. Instead, a mealy-mouthed statement distancing WikiLeaks from its freelancers was issued. Still later, when damning evidence emerged that Shamir had handed cables material to the dictator of Belarus – a man he holds in high esteem – to assist his persecution of opposition activists, Assange shamefully refused to investigate.

The two remain close. Shamir reveals in his latest piece that he has spoken (on friendly terms) with Assange just days before his hearing. There is also a strange resonance in the two men's descriptions of women: Assange has referred to "timid" Guardian reporters failing his "masculinity test", and said "Western culture seems to forge women that are valueless and inane."

[SidDithers]

34. Yup...

disgusting is right.

Good post.

Sid

[90-percent]

42. separated at birth

your DU s/n is remarkably similar to Dweezil Zappa's original name on his birth cert:

Dweezil's registered birth name was Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa.[4] The hospital at which he was born refused to register him under the name Dweezil, so Frank listed the names of several musician friends. "Dweezil" was a nickname coined by Frank for an oddly-curled pinky-toe of Gail's. At five years old, Dweezil learned that his legal name was different, and he insisted on having his nickname become his legal name. Gail and Frank hired an attorney and soon the name Dweezil was official.[5]

Thought you needed to know that.

Please don't ut me on ignore like thousands of others on DU!

-90% Jimmy

[whistler162]

5. Also linked to the Martian invaders.

There someone said it so it must be true.

SUCKERS!!!!!!!!! Believing everything on the Internet

[Nye Bevan]

6. So apparently it's not "rape" any more, it's "sex by surprise" (nt)

[Fire Walk With Me]

7. I also do not like the diminishing analogy along the lines of "friendly fire"

but I also dislike the powers which seek to shut him down.

[ucrdem]

24. Shut him down? Are you joking?

Evita Assange graces the world from his London balcony:

They've practically turned that embassy into a frikkin broadcast studio.

[Fire Walk With Me]

27. Brits have spent four million pounds on police at the embassy. Banks have

refused to allow donations to Wikileaks. Sure, no one wants him to shut up, having revealed US war crimes, etc.

Will everyone please remember that the CIA overthrow entire governments and install US-friendly puppets such as the Shah of Iran? Throw people out of small planes? Sure, they and the government would never want to discredit him, or worse.

[Fire Walk With Me]

32. I'm waiting for more information, which appears to be surfacing. Of course

there is more than one "intelligence" agency. If this is true, it's hopefully only a matter of time until we learn who what and where.

[ucrdem]

33. Hint, those IMs he read last week.

How hard is it figure out anyway?

[treestar]

46. We already knew that before Wikileaks

And Julian simply published tons of documents with no particular goal in mind.

[NCTraveler]

9. It is very clear at this point that Assange has issues with women.

He and his team will relentlessly attack a victim, knowing that it will get his "fans" to hold on a little longer. This is what it looks like when a narcissist begins to lose power.

[randome]

39. Does he truly think that making the same speeches time after time will change anyone's minds?

If he truly valued his supporters, he would call an end to the media circus that he helped create. With all the attention he's brought to himself, does he really think shadow agents will spirit him away somewhere?



[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[Pelican]

10. I think you would be seriously challenged...

... to find another potential victim of rape as maligned as this woman.

Seriously, under no other circumstances would this be acceptable other than the fact that Julian Assange was inside her at some point so fuck her (literally).

Holy.. shit...

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. What's even more alarming is that this "blame the victim" mentality is tolerated at a progressive...

site like DU. The Assange-anistas should be encouraging their leader to be a man, and to go home to face his accuser, instead of dragging this poor woman through the muck. If this had been anyone other than Assange, I'm convinced the alleged victim would be treated quite differently here.

[geek tragedy]

16. They're citing Holocaust deniers to support their smear

campaign.

Lovely people.

[Dreamer Tatum]

17. It just goes to show you what the pecking order is

For all the caterwauling about rape, and the rush to judgment whenever an American athlete is accused (for example),
people like Assange and even Roman Polanski are SO sophisticated that, why, they deserve a little poon, no matter HOW they
get it.

[Tarheel_Dem]

20. +1

[MNBrewer]

22. What "victim"?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

41. The women he had sex with without their consent. N.T.

[MNBrewer]

52. The ones who pressed charges?

[TinkerTot55]

61. Facts are such inconvenient things.

He didn't "rape" them by American definitions. He "raped" them by Swedish definitions.

They aren't claiming he overpowered them and forced them to have sex with him.
The women are claiming that they were having sex with him, and thought he was going to use a condom...BUT HE DIDN'T.
THAT is the basis of the "rape" charge.
If a woman in Sweden wants to use a condom, and the man doesn't, even if she acquiesces, and they have sex without a condom, she can later claim she was violated. Even if everything else was consensual.

Hate the man or love him, but don't accuse him of what YOU think rape is, without knowing what really occurred.
He had sex with two women who BOTH consented to sex, then later they claimed they wanted condoms used, and that he wouldn't use them. And still they CONSENSUALLY had sex with him. They didn't stop, or leave, and he didn't hold them there against their will.

Make of that what you will; more information would help to clarify things, whether it was a case of entrapment or not. But don't pretend "rape" in Sweden is the same legally as "rape" in America.

And I am female, and a feminist from way back, if you're wondering.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

64. The facts are only inconvenient for rapist Assange's defenders.

The facts are that a woman consented to have sex with him if, and only if, he used a condom, which he did.

While she was asleep, he then had sex with her again, without either a condom or her consent.

I know you and your fellow Akinites believe that it's not "real rape" if the victim had previously consented, but I think that having sex with someone without their consent is always rape. And that's what Assange did. It was rape in Sweden, and it would have been rape in America too, because *the victim did not consent*.

[Hissyspit]

78. Ah, I see.

You were there and witnessed it all.

[tammywammy]

68. Charges against Assange:

1. Unlawful coercion
On 13-14 August 2010, in the home of the injured party in Stockholm. Assange, by using violence. forced the injured party to endure his restricting her freedom of movement. The violence consisted in a firm hold of the injured party's arms and a forceful spreading of her legs whilst lying on top of her and with his body weight preventing her from moving or shifting.

2. Sexual molestation
On 13-14 August 2010, in the home of the injured party in Stockholm, Assange deliberately molested the injured party by acting in a manner designed to violate her sexual integrity. Assange, who was aware that it was the expressed wish of the injured party and a prerequisite of sexual intercourse that a condom be used, consummated unprotected sexual intercourse with her without her knowledge.

3. Sexual molestation
On 18 August 2010 or on any of the days before or after that date, in the home of the injured party in Stockholm, Assange deliberately molested the injured party by acting in a manner designed to violate her sexual integrity i.e. lying next to her and pressing his naked, erect penis to her body.

4. Rape
On 17 August 2010, in the home of the injured party in Enkoping, Assange deliberately consummated sexual intercourse with her by improperly exploiting that she, due to sleep. was in a helpless state.

It is an aggravating circumstance that Assange. who was aware that it was the expressed wish of the injured party and a prerequisite of sexual intercourse that a condom be used. still consummated unprotected sexual intercourse with her. The sexual act was designed to violate the injured party's sexual integrity.

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2011/2849.html

Wouldn't you agree that holding someone down and spreading their legs against their will would be considered rape in the US too? And you cannot consent to sex while you're asleep. She woke up with him inside of her. Wouldn't you say that sex with an unconscious person in the US is considered rape too?

Hopefully you'll stop spreading the BS that it wasn't really "rape".

[Hissyspit]

75. Notice there is no use of the word 'charge'

in that document. The warrant is for questioning in investigation of those accusations ("of fences&quot . He has not been officialy charged with the offences.

You write "she woke up with him inside of her" as a statement of fact. Were you there?

[tammywammy]

77. That was her statement.

That's what lead to point 3. Her statement was that she was asleep and woke up with him inside of her without a condom.

Of course I wasn't there, but I don't complete disregard any person's statement regarding sex against their will because I wasn't there. I believed the girl from Stubenville was raped, even though I live way over here in Texas and not West VA.

Do you immediately disregard people's statements because you weren't there?

Oh and yes, yes, I know it's not "charges" because Assange decided to hold up in the Ecuador Embassy instead of going back to Sweden.

[Hissyspit]

79. No, I don't.

I also don't immediately believe they're true.

The Steubenville case is different. There was video evidence and other type of evidence quite unlike the Asssange situation.

If you know he hasn't been charged, then quit using the word.

[geek tragedy]

69. So you're saying it wasn't 'legitimate rape' nt

[randome]

19. Oh, I disagree. Remember Scott Ritter?

He, too, was unfairly targeted.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[SidDithers]

37. Unfairly targeted over and over and over, apparently...

Sid

[geek tragedy]

11. "according to Israel Shamir" who happens to be a white supremacist

and Holocaust denier.

I suggest you delete this repulsive pile of rape apologia and not use people who share Adolf Eichmann's philosophy as sources.

[SidDithers]

38. The OP has a history of using questionable sources to support their argument...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002715886


Sid

[Luminous Animal]

18. Why are you posting this baseless smear? I support assange...

I think there are serious holes in the Swedish case but this isn't one of them.

[janlyn]

25. +1

The real issue should be about the right of the press. I find it very disturbing that certain news organizations who were calling for Assange to be tried for treason are now up in arms about a reporter being under investigation by the FBI in search of a leak!!!

I have a real hard time with the disconnect the allows such hypocrisy!!!

[Donald Ian Rankin]

43. The charge is that he had sex with people without their consent. N.T.

[savannah43]

56. No, it isn't.

He had consensual sex with two women and during the act(s) one of them wanted him to stop, allegedly because of a lack of condom(s).

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&ved=0CF8QFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2F8301-503543_162-20026102-503543%2Fsex-crime-allegations-against-assange-detailed%2F&ei=VGqeUa_tNaPA0QHUvYCQAQ&usg=AFQjCNHgo-EQG_Npu8_XUbD-kUCxgZablw&sig2=9Reug9GPswgjYVY6I7kDJw&bvm=bv.46865395,d.dmQ

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEAQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.time.com%2Ftime%2Fworld%2Farticle%2F0%2C8599%2C2035032%2C00.html&ei=VGqeUa_tNaPA0QHUvYCQAQ&usg=AFQjCNE_cD1sqRTwgbKyIPzaGTf8qu0iVQ&sig2=OdJI_8bK_orhIUfyhZ2iLg&bvm=bv.46865395,d.dmQ

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEgQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aljazeera.com%2Fnews%2Fasia-pacific%2F2013%2F04%2F201344101924549129.html&ei=VGqeUa_tNaPA0QHUvYCQAQ&usg=AFQjCNEZA8ELC5J67MRFjVo7JBIxlCJxRA&sig2=_5o3tIrTP0EZAcW7hOf-ig&bvm=bv.46865395,d.dmQ

[Common Sense Party]

65. The court document I saw has an accusation of RAPE:

On 17 August 2010, in the home of the injured party [SW] in Enkoping, Assange deliberately consummated sexual intercourse with her by improperly exploiting that she, due to sleep. was in a helpless state.

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2011/2849.html

That's rape. I don't know if it happened or not, but if it did occur that way, he's a rapist. It's not consensual if one of the parties is asleep.

We had a lovely thread here a few months back where some guy was wondering if he was a rapist as a teen because he had sex with passed-out girls. You may remember that one. This is the exact same thing.

[tammywammy]

73. Incorrect

Charges against Assange:

1. Unlawful coercion
On 13-14 August 2010, in the home of the injured party in Stockholm. Assange, by using violence. forced the injured party to endure his restricting her freedom of movement. The violence consisted in a firm hold of the injured party's arms and a forceful spreading of her legs whilst lying on top of her and with his body weight preventing her from moving or shifting.

2. Sexual molestation
On 13-14 August 2010, in the home of the injured party in Stockholm, Assange deliberately molested the injured party by acting in a manner designed to violate her sexual integrity. Assange, who was aware that it was the expressed wish of the injured party and a prerequisite of sexual intercourse that a condom be used, consummated unprotected sexual intercourse with her without her knowledge.

3. Sexual molestation
On 18 August 2010 or on any of the days before or after that date, in the home of the injured party in Stockholm, Assange deliberately molested the injured party by acting in a manner designed to violate her sexual integrity i.e. lying next to her and pressing his naked, erect penis to her body.

4. Rape
On 17 August 2010, in the home of the injured party in Enkoping, Assange deliberately consummated sexual intercourse with her by improperly exploiting that she, due to sleep. was in a helpless state.

It is an aggravating circumstance that Assange. who was aware that it was the expressed wish of the injured party and a prerequisite of sexual intercourse that a condom be used. still consummated unprotected sexual intercourse with her. The sexual act was designed to violate the injured party's sexual integrity.

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2011/2849.html

[pnwmom]

83. She had sex once consensually after insisting he used a condom

but she says that after going to sleep, she woke up to find him inside her again -- this time without a condom.

In other words, knowing that she required a condom, he waited till she was sleeping and then pushed his way in without one.

[savannah43]

50. Yes.

Yes you are understanding this correctly.

[TinkerTot55]

62. Actually, yes, you are.

Doubt they were truly concerned about STDs; just don't have sex with someone you are unsure of, or bring your own condoms.
Really simple.
And yes, they bragged, as the earliest news articles, in US and European media, reported.

[pnwmom]

82. Someone can be charged who forced himself on a sleeping bed partner

without a condom, knowing that earlier in the night she'd insisted she wouldn't have sex unless he used one.

[tammywammy]

30. Legal myths about the Assange extradition

http://www.newstatesman.com/david-allen-green/2012/08/legal-myths-about-assange-extradition

One: “The allegation of rape would not be rape under English law”
This is flatly untrue. The Assange legal team argued this twice before English courts, and twice the English courts ruled clearly that the allegation would also constitute rape under English law.

He's wanted for four offenses, I'm not sure which one is "sex by surprise"

1. Unlawful coercion
On 13-14 August 2010, in the home of the injured party [AA] in Stockholm. Assange, by using violence. forced the injured party to endure his restricting her freedom of movement. The violence consisted in a firm hold of the injured party's arms and a forceful spreading of her legs whilst lying on top of her and with his body weight preventing her from moving or shifting.

2. Sexual molestation
On 13-14 August 2010, in the home of the injured party [AA] in Stockholm, Assange deliberately molested the injured party by acting in a manner designed to violate her sexual integrity. Assange, who was aware that it was the expressed wish of the injured party and a prerequisite of sexual intercourse that a condom be used, consummated unprotected sexual intercourse with her without her knowledge.

3. Sexual molestation
On 18 August 2010 or on any of the days before or after that date, in the home of the injured party [AA] in Stockholm, Assange deliberately molested the injured party by acting in a manner designed to violate her sexual integrity i.e. lying next to her and pressing his naked, erect penis to her body.

4. Rape
On 17 August 2010, in the home of the injured party [SW] in Enkoping, Assange deliberately consummated sexual intercourse with her by improperly exploiting that she, due to sleep. was in a helpless state.

It is an aggravating circumstance that Assange. who was aware that it was the expressed wish of the injured party and a prerequisite of sexual intercourse that a condom be used. still consummated unprotected sexual intercourse with her. The sexual act was designed to violate the injured party's sexual integrity.

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2011/2849.html

Magistrate Court's ruling: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/Misc/2011/5.html
High Court's ruling: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2011/2849.html
Supreme Court's ruling: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2012/22.html

[SidDithers]

36. ...

Sid

[Pragdem]

55. Let's praise the rapist while scolding the President for complimenting a woman on her looks.

It's the only way to stay true to our principles!

[zeemike]

63. Let's drop the "innocent until proven guilty" shit

If charged with rape you are guilty until proven innocent.
It is the only way to stay true to our principles.
Already he has been declared guilty by many that post here...
It is like in the witch trails...or the inquisition...once the charge is made you are guilty.
It is shocking to me that this is happening on a progressive site...that we abandon this basic principle of law and justice...but that is what happens when we allow the radicals to rule instead of the law and basic common sense.

[LanternWaste]

98. How many years does a guilty indictment by a DU'er bring with it in a court of law?

How many years does a guilty indictment by a DU'er bring with it in a court of law?

[zeemike]

99. Probably none.

So if it is not illegal or causes someone to be punished by society then it is OK?
Not with me, I have a consistent moral principle....if it is wrong for one it is wrong for all.

[Hissyspit]

80. Who has done that?

And who has proven that Assange is a rapist?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

40. What a load of hearsay, insinuation and bilge dressed-up to look like fact

One accuser, Anna Ardin, may have “ties to the US-financed anti-Castro and anti-communist groups...

Professor Michael Seltzer pointed out that the group is led by Carlos Alberto Montaner who is reportedly connected to the CIA.

Shamir and Bennett also describe Ardin as a “leftist” who “published her anti-Castro diatribes (see here and here) in the Swedish-language publication Revista de Asignaturas Cubanas put out by Misceláneas de Cuba.”

"may"

"reportedly"

Oooh! She's anti-Castro too! Well, we all know how THOSE people are!


Might as well throw in "Some people say she's a dirty whore who wanted it." for good measure.

[Pragdem]

44. Would expect nothing less from Rawstory. nt

[treestar]

45. Irrelevant to whether she was assaulted

That's like saying if someone is a prostitute, it's supposed to affect the case of whether she was raped. Or wore a short skirt, etc. and all the others.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

48. But -- but -- CIA!

If you don't turn this women out right NOW!!! you love South American death squads!!!!!

[pnwmom]

84. And this guy she was "linked" to was charged in 1976.

This is a crock.

[BainsBane]

47. Since the article has the charges wrong

I see no reason to blame the rest. Typical victim blaming. Steubenville or Assange rape apologists are all the same to me. It's the worst sort of misogyny.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

49. Political rape after the fact n/t

[savannah43]

57. So much for guilty until proven innocent, huh?

[BainsBane]

60. He chose to evade prosecution

instead of facing charges. He could have cleared his name if he were innocent. He is the one who is hiding out to avoid prosecution. That signals consciousness of guilt. There are no other charges pending except him except for sexual assault. He is like any sex predator evading prosecution. The Max Factor heir comes to mind. Eventually he had to face prosecution.

[Hissyspit]

72. All of that is utter authoritarian nonsense.

And you obviously don't know much about this.

[BainsBane]

91. It is factual

He has charges pending for sexual assault and is hiding out in the Ecuadorian Embassy to avoid prosecution. The US has filed NO charges against him. That people claim the charges is that he didn't have sex with a condom is a lie. This article is victim blaming, which is what rape apologists always do. I see them as the same as the Steubenville apologists. They protected rapists because they valued those football players more than women. Here people protect Assange because they value him more than mere women. They act like Assange is above the law and women should keep their mouths shut while he does whatever he wants to them. That kind of attitude toward women that blames victims and protects men charged with sexual assault is as misogynistic as it gets.

[Hissyspit]

76. Actually they are not the same.

There was video evidence in the Steubenville case.

[BainsBane]

92. for years there was no video

but prosecutors, police, and townspeople protected rapists over rape victims, just as people here do for Assange. The video made it impossible not to act, and only two men have been prosecuted. In the case of Assange, the prosecution was not derelict, but Assange's supporters devalue women so much they write and defend articles like this.

If rape charges can only hold against someone people don't respect, there is no protection from rape and instead what exists are concerted efforts to perpetuate rape culture and violence against women.

[HiPointDem]

51. kr

[snot]

53. Condemn Assange for rape if it happened; thank him for revealing the heinous crimes by the powerful.

[geek tragedy]

54. Article is from 2010 and based on a Holocaust denier's allegations.

Good enough for the Assangeophile rape apologists though.

[savannah43]

58. Are you psychic? Or full of CIA info? Or related to one of the women?

How do you know enough to condemn Assange and the people who either believe him or are waiting for the actual facts? Please tell me how you got your inside info.

[geek tragedy]

59. I find it rather telling that people are willing to smear a woman

who makes a rape accusation using a fucking Holocaust denier as their primary source.

[sibelian]

90. what a twisty turny world we live in, eh? nt

[SidDithers]

94. Nailed it...

Sid

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

66. Our humanitarian, honest, democratic, CIA set someone up?!!? Say it ain't so.

Perish the thought.

[zeemike]

67. Well thank you for this OP

It is enlightening...not on whether Assange did rape someone or not but because it brings out those people that are willing to believe any charge made against anyone anywhere in the world as long as it is of a sexual nature....guilty until proven innocent is now a progressive ideal it seems if you read what has been posted.

It shows us that the right has no monopoly on authoritarianism and the lack of just and reasonable presumption of innocence.
Morally speaking, this country is fucked if progressives join the ranks of the right wing radicals.

[JoePhilly]

70. I hear she's less then 6 degrees of seperation from Kevin Bacon.

Which clearly means Kevin Bacon is probably a CIA operative.

[Raine1967]

71. A rape apologist? No. A rapist apologist --quite possibly.

At a certain point a line has to be drawn -- you are blaming the victim; You are smearing her.

I expected more of you Fire Walk With Me.

[LittleBlue]

74. The CIA would never do anything dishonest

Or so the government tells me

[LostOne4Ever]

85. Why doesn't Sweden

Why Doesn't Sweden just guarantee he wont be extradited to the US, and if he is found not guilty taken back to the embassy?

That way he would have no excuse to not stand trial. If the charges are fake he can prove it in court, and if the charges are legitimate he gets thrown in jail as he would deserve.

[tammywammy]

87. Legal myths about the Assange extradition

Three: “Sweden should guarantee that there be no extradition to USA”

It would not be legally possible for Swedish government to give any guarantee about a future extradition, and nor would it have any binding effect on the Swedish legal system in the event of a future extradition request.

By asking for this 'guarantee', Assange is asking the impossible, as he probably knows. Under international law, all extradition requests have to be dealt with on their merits and in accordance with the applicable law; and any final word on an extradition would (quite properly) be with an independent Swedish court, and not the government giving the purported 'guarantee'.

Also Sweden (like the United Kingdom) is bound by EU and ECHR law not to extradite in circumstances where there is any risk of the death penalty or torture. There would be no extradition to the United States in such circumstances.

http://www.newstatesman.com/david-allen-green/2012/08/legal-myths-about-assange-extradition

[Hissyspit]

89. 11. The Swedish/US Bilateral Treaty gets around safeguards of normal extradition with a fast-track

"Temporary Surrender" clause.

12. The US Grand Jury convenes in secret. There are 4 prosecutors, no defence, and no judge. It can issue indictments for Extradition with no proper legal process.

13. Sweden has not refused an Extradition request from the USA for over 20 years.

14. In 2001 Sweden gave two innocent Egyptian refugees to the CIA for rendition to Egypt, where they were tortured.

http://wlcentral.org/node/2671

[LostOne4Ever]

93. If this is true

I see no reason for Assange not to surrender...other than him not wanting to get convicted

[Hissyspit]

96. See post 89.

This has been discussed at length here for a couple of years and TammyWammy's info source is not quite complete.

[SidDithers]

95. Revealed: Assange defender linked to notorious anti-Semitic holocaust denier...nt

Sid

[Turborama]

97. It was "revealed" 3 1/2 years ago n/t