Assange calls on US to end witchhunt against WikiLeaks and release Manning
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has called on President Barack Obama to end a “witch hunt” against his secret-spilling website. He made the call after appearing in public for the first time since he took refuge inside Ecuador’s embassy in London two months ago. The 41-year-old Australian was on Thursday granted asylum by Ecuador as he seeks to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over sexual misconduct allegations. Assange and his supporters claim the Swedish case is merely the opening gambit in a Washington-orchestrated plot to make him stand trial in the U.S. over his work with WikiLeaks. A Virginia grand jury is studying evidence that might link Assange to Pfc. Bradley Manning, the U.S. soldier charged with aiding the enemy by passing the secret files to WikiLeaks and is awaiting trial. No action against Assange has yet been taken.
