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August 21, 2012

U.S. Denies Role in Assange Extradition Case 
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Julian Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden to face questioning on
allegations of sex crimes. He and his supporters say he is ultimately
seeking to avoid being handed over to the United States to face
punishment for publishing leaked U.S. government documents. On Monday,
State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland rejected Assange's
concerns.

Victoria Nuland: "Well, let me start with the fact that he is making all
kinds of wild assertions about us, when, in fact, his issue with the
Government of the United Kingdom has to do with whether he's going to go
stand — face justice in Sweden for something that has nothing to
do with Wiki Leaks. It has to do with charges of sexual misconduct. So
he is clearly trying to deflect attention away from the real issue,
which is whether he's going to face justice in Sweden, which is the
immediate issue. So that case has nothing to do with us. It's a matter
between the U.K., Sweden, and now Ecuador has inserted itself."

 

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