Swedish appeals court upholds Julian Assange's arrest warrant over rape charges

On 16 September, the Swedish Svea Court of Appeal upheld the detention order for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in connection with the rape charges that date back to 2010.

Assange, 45, who has avoided extradition to Sweden by seeking shelter at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012, has challenged his detention order several times, citing that he would be extradited to the United States on espionage charges if he leaves the assembly.

The Swedish appeals court has, however, ruled against Assange, and upheld the arrest warrant. Per Samuelsson, his Swedish defense lawyer, is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

"We are naturally disappointed that Swedish courts yet again choose to ignore Julian Assange's difficult life situation," Samuelsson told The Associated Press. "They ignore the risk that he will be extradited to the United States".

The appeals court however said that Swedish prosecutors are working to speed up the investigation procedure. The court said that an interrogation by an Ecuadorian prosecutor will be arranged for Assange at the embassy on 17 October.

The charges of sexual assault stem from six years ago, when Assange was briefly involved with two women. Charges of sexual molestation and unlawful coercion which were levelled against him were dropped, as the statute of limitations expired in 2015.

In the event that Assange is not indicted till 2020, the statute of limitations for the rape allegations will also have expired by then.