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Sweden Drops Rape Investigation Against Wikileaks' Assange

by Associated Press

   STOCKHOLM --

   Sweden's top prosecutor says she is dropping an investigation into a
   rape claim against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after almost seven
   years.
   "Chief Prosecutor Marianne Ny has today decided to discontinue the
   preliminary investigation regarding suspected rape concerning Julian
   Assange," the prosecutors office said in a statement.
   Assange, 45, took refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London in 2012 to
   escape extradition to Sweden to answer questions about sex-crime
   allegations from two women. He has been there ever since, fearing that
   if he is arrested he might ultimately be extradited to the United
   States.
   Friday's announcement means Assange is no longer under any
   investigation in Sweden. British police said before the announcement
   that Assange is still wanted in Britain for jumping bail. It is not
   clear if that may change now that the investigation has been dropped.

   Reuters contributed to this report.