Sweden Drops WikiLeaks Founder 'Sex Probe'

Washington, D.C.   Prosecutors in Sweden say they have ended the investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange because the deadline to bring charges has expired.

Sweden took out an arrest warrant against Assange after two women accused him of rape and sexual misconduct during a visit there in 2010. The investigation into the lesser charges of sexual misconduct expired this month, but Swedish authorities still want to question Assange on the more serious charge of rape. The probe is effective until 2020.

A supporter of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds a placard during a gathering outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, June 19, 2015.

Assange took refuge in the Ecuador Embassy in London in 2012 after British courts said he could be extradited to Sweden to face questioning. He has denied the charges, saying they were politically motivated. Assange fears Sweden will turn him over to the United States, where he would likely face trial for his involvement in one of the largest leaks of classified material in U.S. history.

Assange and his WikiLeaks team published hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. documents, including military documents on the Iraq war and U.S. Embassy cables detailing its dealings with countries around the world.

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