What motivates the outrage over Julian Assange's Political Asylum?

[intaglio]

7. The reason for some, at least, sensational word attached to the accusations

Rape.

Rightly, rape is seen as an unforgivable crime but Mr Assange not charged with rape, he is charged with not appearing in Sweden for questioning about a possible offense covered by the same statutes as sexual assault. That offense is having unprotected sexual intercourse with 2 women. Both these women consented to the sexual act but that, either by design or accident (the condom splitting) Mr Assange was left uncovered. Quite rightly the women in question want Mr Assange to submit to a test to confirm his HIV status, which is why they went to the police.

Personally I think JA is an asshole for not taking such a test and publicising the results but the prosecutor in the case is, probably, a bigger asshole. The prosecutor may also be acting on the instructions of Swedes who wish to appease the USA and render JA to America without benefit of an extradition hearing. This last action is permissible under Swedish law. Equally it would be possible for the prosecutor to have Mr Assange questioned in the UK or at the Ecuadorian embassy; the prosecutor refuses to do that making the prosecutor's motives very murky indeed.