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

[intaglio]

50. Like many you are confusing Complaint and Charge

You have quoted is the prosecutors complaint.

But I will grant your assertions for the moment. I can argue against them but there is no point because ...

I regard Mr Assange's sexual practises to be, at the very least, dubious and ....
We both agree, Assange is most likely a sexual asshole;
We both agree he may most likely a sexual predator;
We both agree that he should submit himself for trial.

However, he is not facing a trial.

He is not charged with any sexual offense; the prosecutor has not raised a charge against him from the complaint that the prosecutor has formulated from the original complaints by the injured parties. At present the prosecutor is examining the complaint and says that she wishes to question Mr Assange before turning that complaint into a criminal charge. The prosecutor could raise that charge without such an interview but, from what I gather, the case is weak given the known opposition of the complainants to the charges and the charge might be dismissed.

A charge would allow a criminal case to continue, even with Mr Assange not present. Assume that he was found guilty in such a case then the sentence would take priority over any request from a foreign government (USA) that Mr Assange be rendered to them.

So, the prosecutor's actions are questionable because they have not raised a charge and the Swedish Government's motives are dubious given that they will not give an undertaking not to render Mr Assange to the USA if he does return for questioning.

Now, let me make clear that I do not object to the continuation of the case despite the objections of the injured women. Too many rape and sexual offense cases are dropped because the raped/injured person fears familial or social stigma and violence. I had not taken this into account.

So let me eat crow, the prosecutor is right to file a complaint that is, essentially, rape but wrong not to bring a charge from this complaint.