Prosecutors extend separate investigation regarding molestation charge
Swedish prosecutors have re-opened a rape case involving WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and have extended a separate investigation regarding a charge of molestation. Marianne Ny, Sweden’s director of public prosecutions, said the molestation charge, which was previously equivalent to a non-sexual charge of harassment, will now fall under the heading of sexual coercion and sexual molestation. Swedish authorities arrested Assange “in absentia” last month on charges of rape and molestation. The chief prosecutor later revoked the arrest warrant and dropped the rape charge. Assange has maintained his innocence, and told Arabic-language television network Al-Jazeera the accusations are “clearly a smear campaign.”