The prosecutor comments on the fact that Stockholm City Court has decided that Julian Assange is to remain detained.

Stockholm City Court has today decided that Julian Assange will still be detained, suspected on probable cause for rape, less serious crime. Julian Assange has the opportunity to appeal the detention order to the Svea Court of Appeal. - Julian Assange is, on probable cause, suspected of rape, less serious crime, and the risk of evasion is still substantial. In our opinion, the public interest to continue the investigation still carries weight. The efforts to conduct an interview and take DNA samples continue, and we are still awaiting a response to the application for legal assistance which was submitted to Ecuador in March 2016. The Court shares our view that a continued detention complies with the principle of proportionality, says Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny. A renewed request to interview Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London was submitted in March. - We have not yet received a reply, says Marianne Ny. Press service 46 10 562 50 20

The prosecutors have presented a written statement to the Stockholm District Court concerning the detention of Julian Assange. Assange’s lawyers have requested the Court to annul the detention order, which the prosecutors contest.

The prosecutors have presented a written statement to the Stockholm District Court concerning the detention of Julian Assange. Assange's lawyers have requested the Court to annul the detention order, which the prosecutors contest. In a letter of response to the District Court, the prosecutors express the opinion that they contest that the Court should annul the detention order. Julian Assange is still, on probable cause, suspected of a serious crime and the risk of evasion stands. On 11 May 2015, the Supreme Court stated in its adjudication of the detention order that the public interest of continuing the investigation carries weight. The Supreme Court did not hold a continued detention to be contrary to the principle of proportionality. - We continue in our attempts to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London. In the beginning of 2016, the Prosecutor-General of Ecuador rejected, on formal grounds, a request concerning permission to conduct an interview. Therefore, a renewed request was submitted in March. We have not yet received a reply, says Director of Public Prosecution, Marianne Ny. In summary, the prosecutors argue that a continued detention complies with the principle of proportionality and that there is, at the moment, no reason to annul the detention order. Furthermore, the prosecutors write that whilst they do not oppose an oral hearing, they do not find it necessary as the matter was heard by the Supreme Court as late as 2015 and as the parties have thoroughly expressed their positions in writing. The written statment (in Swedish) Comments by the Government of Sweden February 4 Presstjänsten010-562 50 20

Status of the Assange case 9 February 2016.

The prosecutor responsible for the case, Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny, is currently working on a renewed request to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London. A former request was rejected in January by the Prosecutor-General of Ecuador. - Concerning the report that was issued last week, I would like to state that it does not change my earlier assessments in the investigation, says Marianne Ny. Marianne Ny does not give interviews. When new information can be provided it will be published at the Swedish Prosecution Authority's web page, www.aklagare.se. Press service 46 10 562 50 20

Further to the recently issued statement from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Swedish Prosecution Authority makes the following statement.

On 11 May 2015 the Swedish Supreme Court, after examining the facts in the case, decided that Julian Assange should still be detained in his absence. Since March 2015, the prosecutor responsible for the case has attempted to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London. It has not yet been possible to conduct the interview as the relevant Ecuadorian authority has not granted permission. In view of the progress of a case, a prosecutor shall continuously consider whether a decision on detention should stand. The statement from the Working Group has no formal impact on the ongoing investigation, according to Swedish law. The prosecutor responsible for the case is on a journey and has not yet been able to take a position on the latest development. Should new information emerge, it will be published. At the moment, the prosecutor is not available for comments. Press service +46 10 562 50 20

In a reply, the Prosecutor-General of Ecuador has rejected, on formal grounds, the Swedish prosecutor’s request to interview Assange in London, as it refers to the request that was sent 29 May 2015.

In a reply, the Prosecutor-General of Ecuador has rejected, on formal grounds, the Swedish prosecutor's request to interview Assange in London, as it refers to the request that was sent 29 May 2015. In the letter, the Prosecutor-General also informs that Ecuador will conduct the interview, and therefore requests a list of the questions the Swedish prosecutor wants the Ecuadorian prosecutor to ask. - At the moment, we consider if it effects the possibilities to conduct the investigative matters and, if that is case, we shall submit a renewed request, says Director of Public Prosecution Marianne Ny. Press service 46 10 562 50 20

Status of the Assange matter 13 January 2016.

Sweden has signed a general agreement on mutual legal assistance with Ecuador. The prosecutor has submitted a request to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London. This document was recently sent from the Swedish Ministry of Justice to the Office of the Prosecutor-General of Ecuador. It is not possible to estimate when a response can be expected. When all necessary permits and arrangements are ready, the interview will be performed by the supporting prosecutor to the case, Chief Prosecutor Ingrid Isgren, together with a police investigator.

A renewed request will shortly be submitted to Ecuador concerning permission to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador’s embassy in London.

A renewed request will shortly be submitted to Ecuador concerning permission to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London. Sweden has signed a general agreement on mutual legal assistance with Ecuador. Therefore, the prosecutor will shortly submit a request to interview Julian Assange at Ecuador's embassy in London. The document will be sent from the Ministry of Justice to Ecuador through diplomatic channels. In June, Great Britain granted permission for the investigation to continue in London, and the relevant British authorities will be informed of any developments in the case. When all necessary permits and arrangements are ready, the interview will be performed by the supporting prosecutor to the case, Chief Prosecutor Ingrid Isgren, together with a police investigator. At the moment, it is not possible to estimate when the interview will take place. Press service+46 10 562 50 20