WikeLeaks’ Assange interviewed in London over rape accusation

A senior Swedish prosecutor has begun interviewing Julian Assange at Ecuador’s embassy in London, six years after he was accused of rape by a woman in Stockholm.

The interview is a significant step forward in a case that has been locked in deadlock since Assange sought asylum in the small central London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over the allegation, which he denies.

Ingrid Isgren, Sweden’s deputy chief prosecutor, arrived at the embassy at 9.30am on Monday, accompanied by another woman, where she was met by dozens of photographers and film crews. She paused briefly for photographs but made no comment to waiting reporters.

Three days have been set aside for the interview, which follows years of legal and diplomatic wrangling between Sweden and Ecuador.

According to the arrangements agreed by the two countries, the questioning will be carried out by an Ecuadorean prosecutor, putting questions that have already been submitted by the Swedish prosecution authority.

Prosecutors have said they will seek to take a DNA sample from Assange, if he agrees.

The Wikileaks founder will be represented by an Ecuadorean lawyer in the interview. Jennifer Robinson, his legal adviser and a close ally, arrived mid morning.

Assange’s position is that leaving the embassy would leave him vulnerable to onward extradition to the US for potential prosecution over WikiLeaks’ releases of classified US embassy cables.

Some Assange supporters hope it could be a significant moment for the Australian, following the election of Donald Trump to the White House.

During his campaign, Trump declared “I love WikiLeaks!”, thanks to its repeated publication of Democratic party emails that proved highly damaging to his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Many supporters of Assange and Trump have called on the president-elect to “pardon” him when he assumes office.

His US attorney, Barry Pollack, said that Trump could pardon Assange even though he has not been convicted in the US, citing the precedent of Gerald Ford’s pre-emptive pardon of Richard Nixon. “So, absolutely President Trump could pardon Mr Assange and obviously we would welcome that.”

Monday’s interview follows a tortuous legal and diplomatic wrangle between Ecuador and Sweden before prosecutors consented to interview the Australian in London, and then until the two sides agreed arrangements.