Statement concerning the detention of Assange

The prosecutors have presented a written statement to the Stockholm District Court concerning the detention of Julian Assange. Assange's lawyers have requested the Court to annul the detention order, which the prosecutors contest.

In a letter of response to the District Court, the prosecutors express the opinion that they contest that the Court should annul the detention order. Julian Assange is still, on probable cause, suspected of a serious crime and the risk of evasion stands. On 11 May 2015, the Supreme Court stated in its adjudication of the detention order that the public interest of continuing the investigation carries weight. The Supreme Court did not hold a continued detention to be contrary to the principle of proportionality.

- We continue in our attempts to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London. In the beginning of 2016, the Prosecutor-General of Ecuador rejected, on formal grounds, a request concerning permission to conduct an interview. Therefore, a renewed request was submitted in March. We have not yet received a reply, says Director of Public Prosecution, Marianne Ny.

In summary, the prosecutors argue that a continued detention complies with the principle of proportionality and that there is, at the moment, no reason to annul the detention order.

Furthermore, the prosecutors write that whilst they do not oppose an oral hearing, they do not find it necessary as the matter was heard by the Supreme Court as late as 2015 and as the parties have thoroughly expressed their positions in writing.

The written statment (in Swedish)

Comments by the Government of Sweden February 4

Presstjänsten010-562 50 20