NY Times-Sweden Rescinds Rape Warrant for Wiki Leaks Founder

Wiki Leaks Founder Julian Assange: Andrew Testa/NY Times

(Story reported by John F. Burns for the NY Times)

LONDON — Julian Assange, the founder of the Web site WikiLeaks who has been embroiled in a fight with the Pentagon over the recent release of classified Afghan war documents, became the focus of new attention on Saturday when Swedish prosecutors sought him for questioning on allegations of rape and molestation — and then withdrew the rape allegation. 

The prosecutor’s office provided few details about the case against Mr. Assange, who denied the allegations. Nor did it say why it backtracked so quickly. Two Swedish newspapers said the allegations were made by two women who worked with WikiLeaks in Sweden, and the prosecutors told The Associated Press they were still looking into an accusation of molestation. 

(Click here to read the full story on the NY Times website)