Assange is trying to fend off a deportation request from the Swedish government; a judge in London granted him bail last week under relatively strict conditions, including a requirement that he stay at a country manor owned by a supporter until a hearing on January 11. The U.K.'s Guardian newspaper last week published details of the charges from a leaked police document that quotes one of the women as saying that "not only had it been the world's worst screw, it had also been violent."
"I believe that what surprises people in other countries is that if a man and a woman initiate sexual intercourse, and she after awhile doesn't want to continue, that can be considered rape," attorney Claes Borgström said.Borgström should know. He was the Swedish ombudsman for Equal Opportunities from 2000 to 2007 and afterward the spokesperson for the Social Democrats on this topic (and is at a law firm that counts the former minister of justice Thomas Bodström as one of the partners).
The reason for the Swedes' acute sensitivity over what might be translated as "sexual integrity" can be found in history. One key episode was when a group of senior jurists in the 1970s, inspired by the sexual emancipation of that era, proposed a loosening of the law that would have shifted more responsibility to the victim.
"There was a tremendously strong reaction from feminist's organizations,"said Kjell Östberg, professor in history at Södertörn University.
Östberg said that one significant point--that also makes Sweden unusual--is that in matters like the 1970s dispute and women's rights in general, women's organizations from across the political spectrum join forces and have done so since the fight over female suffrage a century ago.
In an interview with NBC News on Friday, Assange strenuously denied the allegations made by the Swedish women.
It is an incredible allegation of rape," he said. "And in the beginning, double rape, reported around the world...But I think its days are numbered and people are starting to wonder, is what is claimed really true and if it is true, where is the evidence? Why has no evidence been provided even to me and my defense attorneys?"
He said he initially tried to clear his name with prosecutors and over the summer he "received permission to leave the country for my work and did so." Swedish prosecutors initially dropped the charges but then reinstated them.
The U.S. State Department denied any involvement.
I could be wrong on this folks, but it appears to me, after reviewing all the evidence, that as far as the "Femi-Nazi's" in Sweden are concerned, if you're no good in the sack, you could be charged with rape! (Or assault with a dead weapon!)
I'm just glad something like this wouldn't apply to me!!!!
(If you think that's something, listen to this! Amongst a tribe in Africa, if a husband fails to satisfy his wife EVERY TIME, she can complain to her family and they will go and beat up the husband!)
Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20026254-281.html#ixzz18l5zDzCa
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