A lawyer for the founder Julian Assange WikiLeaks said that he expects the U.S. to charge him immediately, but the prospect Assange sent to Sweden in an investigation of sexual crimes are likely to make it less likely that he would end it before an American judge who did it. While Britain, where Assange detained, has one of the extradition regime that is friendly to the U.S. in Europe, Sweden may not be so quick in delivering the Australian men 39 years.
“U.S. officials probably well advised, if they think they have a base, to try to extradite him while he was still here,” said Peter Sommer, an expert on cyber crime at the London School of economics. Assange is facing charges of rape and abuse in Sweden by two women, although he has not been charged. U.S. officials are investigating whether he can be indicted in U.S. courts under the Espionage Act or other crimes – such as theft of government property or receiving stolen government property – due to publish a collection of secret wire U.S. diplomatic and military documents.
Jennifer Robinson, Assange’s lawyer, told the ABC News that he expects a prosecution on espionage charges. A Justice Department official told the NBC News that legal action against Assange not imminent. The U.S. government is moving slowly because it wanted to ensure that the claims were located on a solid base, officials said. The first congressional hearings related to the WikiLeaks will come next week, NBC News reported the news agency.