Sweden Reopens Assange Rape Investigation, to Seek Extradition

Sweden reopened an investigation into a rape allegation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and said it would seek his extradition from Britain.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a police van, after he was arrested by British police, in London on April 11, 2019. Henry Nicholls/Reuters

STOCKHOLM—Sweden reopened an investigation into a rape allegation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Monday and said it would seek his extradition from Britain.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Eva-Marie Persson told a news conference she would continue and conclude a preliminary investigation that was dropped in 2017 without charges being brought because Assange had taken refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London.