Interpol issues arrest warrant 

for Julian Assange 

 

Interpol, the international police organisation, has issued an arrest warrant for WikiLeaks' Julian Assange, as the activist website continued its US diplomatic cables leaks today.

The Australian was added to the organisation's "wanted" list for alleged sex crimes committed in Sweden this year.

He is suspected of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion, after an investigation by Swedish prosecutors into his encounters with two women in Sweden in August.

Wanted ... Julian Assange. Photo: Reuters

The arrest warrant, called a "Red Notice", is "not an international arrest warrant" but means Mr Assange could be arrested and extradited to Sweden from any country if local authorities act on it.

"Many of INTERPOL's member countries consider a Red Notice to be a valid request for provisional arrest," Interpol said on its website.

Mr Assange, 39, is currently contesting the warrant in a Swedish appeals court.

He has denied the accusations, with his British lawyer Mark Stephens saying last month that they were "false and without basis".

The Sydney Morning Herald

 

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