Julian Assange’s prosecutor accused of being ‘anti-men’

The prosecutor in Julian Assange’s fight for extradition has been accused of being “anti-men”.

The Swedish prosecutor was subjected to an outspoken attack by retired Swedish appeal court judge Brita Sundberg-Weitman for having a “rather biased view against men”.

Mrs Sundberg-Weitman, a published academic and associate professor at Stockholm University was flown to London by Assange’s legal team to give evidence supporting their argument that extraditing him would be a “flagrant denial of justice”.

She added: “She seems to take it for granted that everybody under prosecution is guilty. “I think she is so preoccupied with the situation of battered women and raped women that she has lost balance.”

The claims were made on the first day of a two-day hearing that will decide whether the Australian computer expert should be sent to Sweden.

His lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC opened the case before Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court arguing the huge amount of press coverage created a risk of an unfair “trial by media”.

Mr Roberston pointed out that rape trials in Sweden are often held behind closed doors and that, unless the public and press were allowed to witness proceedings, Assange would not receive a fair trial.

Mr Assange is wanted for questioning by Swedish prosecutor Marianne Ny over allegations of sexual offences made by two female WikiLeaks volunteers.

He has courted the media and infuriated world leaders over the recent revelations detailing secrets of US diplomatic cables.
Source: ITN