Sweden drops Assange rape case

STOCKHOLM >> Sweden on Tuesday dropped its investigation into an alleged rape by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is currently in prison in Britain, because too much time has elapsed since the accusation was made over nine years ago.

Assange, who is battling an extradition attempt by the U.S. so he can face spying charges related to his WikiLeaks work, has always denied the allegations made against him during a visit to Stockholm in August 2010.

“Nine years have gone,” Swedish prosecutor EveMarie Persson said. “Time is a player in this. The oral evidence has weakened as time has passed.”

Though the victim “submitted a credible and reliable version of events,” Persson said “the memory fades for natural reasons.”