Sweden’s former ambassador to China has been indicted with arbitrariness during negotiations with a foreign power. The prosecutor will be available to the media on telephone this afternoon.

The ambassador is suspected of having acted outside the bounds of the authority granted to her during a meeting on a consular matter regarding the Swedish citizen Gui Minhai who is currently imprisoned in China. At that meeting, the ambassador was in contact with persons representing the interests of the Chinese State.  “An ambassador is the head of a public authority with a far-reaching mandate to represent Sweden; nonetheless, even ambassadors must adhere to certain guidelines and instructions issued by the Government Offices of Sweden and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In this specific consular matter, she has exceeded her mandate and has therefore rendered herself criminally liable,” says Hans Ihrman, Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor at the National Security Unit. “A charge of arbitrariness during negotiations with a foreign power is unprecedented in modern times,” says Hans Ihrman. An investigation was launched on 14 February 2019 after the Swedish Security Service filed a criminal complaint.   Case number at Stockholm District Court: B 3911-19.   Contact  Deputy Chief Prosecutor Hans Ihrman is available for brief conversations to the media today, Monday, by telephone between 14:00-15:00 on +46 (0)10-562 53 85. The prosecutor will not be available at any other time than that stated above in connection with bringing this prosecution.   Press Service, +46 10 562 50 20

Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson has today decided to discontinue the investigation regarding Julian Assange. The reason for this decision is that the evidence has weakened considerably due to the long period of time that has elapsed since the events in question.

The preliminary investigation concerning allegations against Julian Assange was resumed on 13 May 2019 after Assange left the Ecuadorian embassy in London. The investigation relates to a suspected rape committed in August 2010. A number of investigative measures have been conducted since May, largely in the form of witness interviews. The preliminary investigation has now been discontinued, the motive for which is that the evidence has weakened considerably due to the long period of time that has elapsed since the events in question. "I would like to emphasise that the injured party has submitted a credible and reliable version of events. Her statements have been coherent, extensive and detailed; however, my overall assessment is that the evidential situation has been weakened to such an extent that that there is no longer any reason to continue the investigation," says Eva-Marie Persson, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution. Background In 2010, being suspected of committing sexual offences in Sweden, Julian Assange fled to the United Kingdom, eventually taking up residency in the Ecuadorian embassy, where he remained from 19 June 2012 until 11 April 2019. In 2017, the public prosecutor responsible for the case at that time discontinued the investigation, as the prosecutor had exhausted all possibilities to make progress. After Assange’s removal from the embassy in spring 2019, the investigation was reopened at the request of the counsel for the injured party in Sweden.   Translation of the prosecutor's decision (pdf). Chronology of the case (link). Case number at Uppsala District Court: B 3167-19.   Press Service, +46 10 562 50 20

Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson will hold a press conference on the Assange case on 19 November 2019.

On 11 April 2019, the counsel for the injured party requested the Swedish preliminary investigation concerning rape to be resumed. The case has been handled by Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson at the Swedish Prosecution Authority’s Development Centre in Gothenburg. At the press conference, the prosecutor will inform about the investigative measures taken and provide new information. The press conference will take place 19 November at 2 pm, at Folkets Hus, Barnhusgatan 12-14, Stockholm, room 300. Entrance no earlier than 1:30 pm. Please note only accredited journalists can attend. Bring your press ID or certificate from editorial staff. Sign up at [email protected] by 19 November at 8 am at the latest. The prosecutor’s presentation will be interpreted from Swedish to English. There will be opportunities for group interviews after the presentation. Questions will also be interpreted from Swedish to English, and vice versa, if needed. For further information about the case, see https://www.aklagare.se/en/news-and-press/media/the-assange-matter/ Contact  Press Service, +46 10 562 50 20 Press Manager Annika Collin, +46 10 562 50 15 Press Officer Anna Knöfel Magnusson, +46 10 562 51 99

An Iranian citizen has today been detained by Stockholm District Court, on probable cause suspected of crime in Iran against international law, gross crime, and murder during the period of 28 July – 31 August 1988 in Teheran, Iran.

The prosecutor responsible for the investigation is Senior Public Prosecutor Karolina Wieslander at the National Unit Against Organised Crime. On 11 December, at the latest, the prosecutor needs to decide whether or not to indict the person in question.   Case number in Stockholm District Court: B 15255-19.     Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

A 46-year-old Swedish-Iraqi citizen has today been prosecuted for refugee espionage at Stockholm District Court. The prosecutor is available to the media.

The man is indicted for, during the period April 2015 to February 2019, collecting personal information about opposition Iranians belonging to the Ahwazi community with the intention of conveying the information to the government of Iran. “I have prosecuted the man for, under cover of representing an Arabic evening paper, having photographed and filmed Ahwazi conference delegates and demonstration participants in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden. He is also claimed to have infiltrated Ahwazi fora on the internet and thus obtained opposition persons’ addresses and telephone numbers,” says Senior Public Prosecutor Hans-Jörgen Hanström. The man is also prosecuted for having photographed car registration plates and log-on information for routers, during home visits. The prosecutor states that part of the information has been conveyed to representatives of the Iranian intelligence service via the internet or at personal meetings, including in Teheran. The man who has been prosecuted denies the offence. The preliminary investigation report is quite extensive, some 1,700 pages, and parts of it is confidential. The preliminary investigation was performed by the National Security Unit at The Swedish Prosecution Authority and the Swedish Security Service. Crime classification: Illegal intelligence activities against persons, serious offence. Proceedings in the district court are estimated to take nine days. Case number at Stockholm District Court: B 2890-19. Contact: Senior Public Prosecutor, Hans-Jörgen Hanström, is available to the media today Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm on +46 (0)10 562 53 85.       Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

Director of Public Prosecution Mikael Björk provides a brief case update on the preliminary investigation concerning the two patients, now deceased, who had a synthetic trachea surgically implanted.

On 11 December 2018, Director of Public Prosecution Mikael Björk took the decision to reopen a discontinued preliminary investigation concerning a surgeon previously employed at Karolinska University Hospital. The suspected crime was a gross offence of causing bodily harm. The preliminary investigation is still underway and has taken longer than expected. During the course of the resumed preliminary investigation, investigative measures have been taken both in Sweden and abroad. About 20 interviews have been carried out and additional interviews of, for example, the suspected surgeon are to be conducted. “The material in the preliminary investigation is very extensive. The final serving to the surgeon and his public counsel is going to take a long time and therefore this process has already commenced even though not all investigative measures have yet been taken. At the moment, it is too early to say when a decision regarding the charge can be taken since it depends on the result of the remaining investigative measures. Our aim is that a decision can be made during the first quarter of next year,” says Director of Public Prosecutions Mikael Björk. Director of Public Prosecution Mikael Björk is not available to the media. Any new information will be made public via a press release.   Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

Over the course of the summer, a total of seven witness interviews have been conducted as part of the investigation concerning Julian Assange. An analysis of this material is now underway, after which the public prosecutor will decide how to proceed with the case.

Assange is suspected of committing a rape in 2010. The investigation was reopened on 13 May 2019. “During the summer, we have conducted interviews intended to verify the evidence, as nine years have passed since the suspected crime. We have concentrated on the inquiries possible to conduct here in Sweden. The interviews are now being transcribed and analysed. We have mainly re-interviewed those individuals who were interviewed in 2010, although two of the persons interviewed have not previously been interviewed,” says Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson. What happens now? “Once we have analysed the interviews, I will decide how to proceed with the case. The investigation may then be discontinued or I may decide to conduct further inquiries. If I make the assessment that the next step is to interview Julian Assange, I will issue a European Investigation Order, in which case I shall write to the British authorities with a request to conduct an interview,” says Eva-Marie Persson. Once the prosecutor has reached a decision, this will be communicated via a press release. The limitation period expires on 20 August 2020. If a prosecution is commenced before that date, the period of limitation will be extended on condition that Assange is served with a summons before 20 August 2020. Contact Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson is not available to the media today, Monday.      Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

Public prosecutor Daniel Suneson has decided not to appeal the verdict of Stockholm District Court imposing conditional sentences for assault on an American artist and two other individuals.

 “I have accepted the District Court’s evaluation of the evidence, in as much as the use of whole or broken bottles during the assault has not been proven. In my opinion, the criminal act has a somewhat higher penal value than the two months decided by the District Court; however, after due consideration, I have chosen not to appeal the verdict. All three defendants have in fact been brought to justice for assault and the District Court has dismissed the plea of self-defence, something that I believe was important to clarify in this particular case,” says public prosecutor Daniel Suneson. The assault in question took place in Stockholm on 30 June and three men were remanded in custody on 5 July on suspicion of having committed the crime. All three were released from custody on the conclusion of the trial. On 14 August, they were given conditional sentences for assault by the District Court. Link to press release from the Stockholm District Court. Stockholm District Court, Case No. B 9283-19 The public prosecutor is available to the media today, Tuesday, from 9:00 until 10:30 on +46 (0)10 562 55 93.    Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

The artist, and two men in his company, were prosecuted for assault. Stockholm District Court will give judgment in the case on Wednesday 14 August at 14.00. The prosecutor will be available after the judgment has been announced.

The three men are suspected of committing assault of a 19-year-old man in central Stockholm on 30 June. After the trial was concluded on 2 August, the men were released from custody by Stockholm District Court. The court will issue the judgement on 14 August at 14.00. Senior Public Prosecutor Daniel Suneson is available per telephone after the judgment has been issued. Case number at Stockholm District Court: B 9283-19 Contact: Senior Public Prosecutor Daniel Suneson, City Public Prosecution Office, Stockholm, +46 10 562 55 93. Available to the media on 14 August at 15.00-16.30. Press Service: +46 10 562 50 20

The three individuals held on remand since 5 July on suspicion of committing an assault in central Stockholm have been charged today. One of the individuals concerned is an American artist. The main hearing will start on Tuesday 30 July. The prosecutor will be available via telephone to the media after the main hearing is over.

Stockholm District Court, Case No. B 9283-19 Information concerning the schedule, see link to Stockholm District Court Contact After the last day of the trial, public prosecutor Daniel Suneson will be available via telephone.   Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

The three individuals held on remand since 5 July on suspicion of committing an assault in central Stockholm have been charged. One of the individuals concerned is an American artist. The public prosecutor will be available to the media via telephone on Thursday morning.

"I have today commenced criminal proceedings against the three individuals suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defence and provocation. In reaching this conclusion, I have studied the videos made available to the inquiry. It is worth noting that I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet. In addition to video material, the injured party’s statements have been supported by witness statements," says public prosecutor Daniel Suneson of the City Public Prosecution Office. The alleged assault took place on 30 June in central Stockholm. The three men who have now been charged were held on the night of 3 July and have been in custody since then. They were initially suspected of aggravated assault. Stockholm District Court decided to remand the three men in custody on 5 July, on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm. "There were initially two injured parties in the case; however, the allegations concerning one of these were dropped due to insufficient supporting evidence. The prosecution I have now brought therefore relates to only one injured party. A counter allegation was also made against one of the injured parties by the artist’s bodyguard. This case was investigated and closed on 22 July," says Daniel Suneson. What happens now? The three individuals will remain on remand until the trial. Stockholm District Court will decide on a date for the trial to commence. The public prosecutor recommends that three days be set aside for the hearing. Stockholm District Court, Case No. B 9283-19 Contact Public prosecutor Daniel Suneson of the City Public Prosecution Office is available to the media via telephone today between 9:00 and 12:00 on +46 (0)10 562 55 93. No interviews will be given by any means other than over the telephone. Interviews may be conducted in Swedish or English. Press Service +46 10 562 50 20   Prosecutor – part of a legal system Swedish prosecutors are independent when making decisions concerning prosecution or coercive measures, such as search and arrest. This means that each prosecutor is solely responsible for his or her decisions, and that these decisions cannot be changed by a prosecutor’s superior, for example. The role of the Ministry of Justice Within the Government Offices, the Ministry of Justice has the primary responsibility for matters relating to the judicial system, including the budgets and administration of the government agencies. The Ministry of Justice may not interfere with the way a government agency applies a law or takes a decision in a specific case in its exercise of public authority. The Swedish judicial system (pdf)

In the case concerning an American artist who has been arrested on suspicion of assault since 5 July, a counter-notice was also made against an injured party in the case. The preliminary investigation has been going on in parallel where the injured party was suspected of abuse, assault and attempted assault. The preliminary investigation in that matter is now discontinued and the injured party is no longer suspected of any crime.

“The person who filed the counter-notice repeatedly asks the other person to leave. When he refuses to leave, the other person first pushes him away and then takes a grip around the other persons neck and lifts him away a few meters. In this situation, the person throws his headphones on the notifier, and tries to hand out battles, which may be considered as right to self-defense.”, says Senior Public Prosecutor Daniel Suneson, the person in charge of the investigation. On Friday 19 July, Stockholm District Court granted the prosecutor more time to continue the preliminary investigation of the case concerning the American artist and two other persons, who have been detained since 5 July on probable cause on suspicion of assault in Stockholm. That investigation is still ongoing. The prosecutor must decide on this matter no later than Thursday 25 July at 11 am CET. The prosecutor is not available to the media for the time being. When new information is available, a press release will be released. Case number in Stockholm District Court: B 9283-19      Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

Stockholm District Court has granted the prosecutor more time to continue the preliminary investigation of the case concerning the American artist who has been detained since 5 July on probable cause on suspicion of assault in Stockholm.

“The Court decided that the artist will remain in custody until 25 July, because of the flight risk. This gives us time to complete the investigation.”, says Daniel Suneson. If the prosecutor decides to indict the artist, the new time limit has been set to 25 July at 11 am, at the latest. The District Court decided that the other two detained in the case also will remain in custody. Case number in Stockholm District Court: B 9283-19 The prosecutor is not able to be available to the media during the day. When new information is available, a press release will be released. For general questions about the Swedish detention premises, please contact the Swedish Prison and Probation Service's press service, phone +46 11 496 31 00. Due to Swedish law, they cannot provide any information about individuals. Link: The Swedish Prison and Probation Service, Remand    Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

On Friday 5 July, an artist was detained on probable cause for assault in central Stockholm. The prosecutor has now requested for an extension of time until 25 July to finish the investigation. An application for a detention order has been sent to Stockholm District Court.

"We have worked intensively with the investigation and need more time, until Thursday next week in order to complete the preliminary investigation. As long as the preliminary investigation is ongoing, I cannot give any further comments.", says prosecutor Daniel Suneson, the person in charge of the investigation. In addition to the artist, two more men were detained on suspicion of assault in the same case. The request for extension of time also applies to them. A counter-notice is made against one of the injured parties in the case. A preliminary investigation is ongoing in parallel. The suspected crimes are abuse, assault and attempted assault. Decisions in this matter will be taken no later than 25 July. Due to the summer holidays period, Senior Public Prosecutor Daniel Suneson has taken over as the person in charge of the investigation. Case number in Stockholm District Court: B 9283-19 Detention hearings The detention hearings will start at 1 pm CET, starting with the artist at 1-2 pm and the other two suspects at 2-3 pm and 3-4 pm respectively.   The Swedish judicial system (Link to the Ministry of Justice)     Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

The preliminary investigation continues regarding the American artist who is detained by the Stockholm District Court in Sweden on suspicion of assault in Stockholm.

Several investigation measures have already been conducted and the analysis of material continues. There is also a preliminary investigation in the case concerning the aggrieved party who is suspected of molestation and assault. On the 19 July, at the latest, the prosecutor must decide whether to file a prosecution or ask the court for a longer detention period in order to finalize the investigation. The prosecutor cannot give any further information about the case for the time being. When information becomes available, this will be provided via a press release. Court´s case number: B 9283-19     Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

Comment from the prosecutor on the Court’s decision to detain Julian Assange.

“I fully respect the court’s decision. They had to take a position on a difficult assessment issue, which I considered should be examined by a court”, says Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson. “The investigation continues with interviews in Sweden. I will also issue a European Investigation Order in order to interview Julian Assange. No date has been set yet. We will constantly review the state of the investigation.”, says Eva-Marie Persson.     Press Service +46 10 562 50 20   Further information European Investigation Order European Arrest Warrant

On Monday 3 June at 10.00, a detention hearing will be held at Uppsala District Court. Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson has submitted an application for a detention order, in which she requests the court to detain Julian Assange in his absence. After the detention hearing, the prosecutor will be present for questions from the media.

“I am requesting the district court to detain Assange in his absence, on probable cause suspected of rape (less serious crime). If the court decides to detain him, I will issue a European Arrest Warrant concerning his surrender to Sweden,” says Eva-Marie Persson Julian Assange has been convicted of a crime in the UK and will serve 25 weeks of his sentence before he can be released, according to information obtained from the UK authorities. An extradition process is currently ongoing in the UK, with the possible outcome of him being extradited to the US. “In the event of a conflict between a European Arrest Warrant and a request for extradition from the US, UK authorities will decide on the order of priority. The outcome of this process is impossible to predict. However, in my view the Swedish case can proceed concurrently with the proceedings in the UK,” says Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson. Contact The detention hearing will take place on Monday 3 June 10 AM at Uppsala District Court. Immediately following the detention hearing, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson will be present at the court to answer questions from the media. An interpreter will also be present. Before the hearing, the prosecutor will not answer questions from the media. Case number in Uppsala District Court: B 3167-19. Sign up in order to reserve a seat in the court room at Uppsala District Court Press release when the preliminary investigation was resumed 13 May   Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson has today submitted an application for a detention order to Uppsala District Court, in which she requests the court to detain Julian Assange in his absence. After the detention hearing the prosecutor will be present for questions from the media.

“I request the District Court to detain Assange in his absence, on probable cause suspected for rape (less serious crime). If the court decides to detain him, I will issue a European Arrest Warrant concerning surrender to Sweden”, says Eva-Marie Persson Julian Assange has been convicted of a crime in the UK and will serve 25 weeks of his sentence before he can be released, according to information obtained from UK authorities. An extradition process is ongoing in the UK, with the possible outcome of him being extradited to the US. “In the event of a conflict between a European Arrest Warrant and a request for extradition from the US, UK authorities will decide on the order of priority. The outcome of this process is impossible to predict. However, in my view the Swedish case can proceed concurrently with the proceedings in the UK”, says Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson. Contact The detention hearing takes place on Monday 3 June 10 AM in Uppsala District Court. Immediately after the detention hearing, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson will be present in the Court to answer questions from the media. An interpreter will also be present. Before the hearing the prosecutor will not answer questions from the media. Case number in Uppsala District Court: B 3167-19. Press release when the preliminary investigation was resumed 13 May (link) Uppsala District Court Press Service +46 10 562 50 20  

Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson has today decided to reopen the Assange case that was previously discontinued.

The prosecutor will shortly request that Julian Assange be detained in his absence suspected on probable cause for an allegation of rape from August 2010. To be able to execute a detention order, the prosecutor will issue a European Arrest Warrant. An application for a detention order will be submitted to Uppsala District Court, as the suspected crime took place in Enköping municipality. – On account of Julian Assange leaving the Ecuadorian embassy, the circumstances in this case have changed. I take the view that there exists the possibility to take the case forward. Julian Assange has been convicted of a crime in the UK and will serve 25 weeks of his sentence before he can be released, according to information from UK authorities. I am well aware of the fact that an extradition process is ongoing in the UK and that he could be extradited to the US. In the event of a conflict between a European Arrest Warrant and a request for extradition from the US, UK authorities will decide on the order of priority. The outcome of this process is impossible to predict. However, in my view the Swedish case can proceed concurrently with the proceedings in the UK, says Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson. Reopening the investigation means that a number of investigative measures will take place. – In my opinion a new interview with the suspect is required. It may be necessary, with the support of a European Investigation Order, to request an interview with JA be held in the UK. Such an interview, however, requires JA’s consent, says Eva-Marie Persson. Case number in Stockholm District Court: B 12885-10. Decision (PDF)       Press Service +46 10 562 50 20

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Eva-Marie Persson will hold a press conference on the continuation of the Assange case on 13 May 2019.

On 11 April, the counsel for the injured party requested the Swedish preliminary investigation concerning rape be resumed. The case has been handled by Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson at the Swedish Prosecution Authority’s Development Centre in Gothenburg. At the press conference, the prosecutor will provide information about her decision, which will be formally made immediately before the press conference. Place, time and registration The press conference will take place on 13 May at 11.00, at Klara Strand, Klarabergsviadukten 90. Stockholm. Room St:a Clara. Entrance no earlier than 10.30. Include press ID or certificate from editorial staff. Please note only accredited journalists can attend. Sign up at [email protected] by 12  May at 14.00 at the latest. The prosecutor’s presentation will be interpreted from Swedish to English. There will be opportunities for group interviews after the presentation. Questions will also be interpreted from Swedish to English, and vice versa, if needed. Please observe that the press conference is the only opportunity for interviews in English, as the prosecutor does not give interviews in English over the phone. For further information about the case, see https://www.aklagare.se/en/news-and-press/media/the-assange-matter/ Contact: Annika Collin, Press Officer +46 10-562 50 15, Karin Rosander, Director of Communication +46 10-562 50 10.   Press Service +46 10 562 50 20