Why has Sweden reopened the rape investigation into Julian Assange?

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Sweden Reopens Rape Investigation into Julian Assange

Swedish prosecutors have reopened a 2010 rape investigation into Julian Assange because they believe there is still probable cause to suspect he committed rape. The investigation was previously closed in May 2017, not due to a lack of evidence, but because of procedural difficulties that prevented it from moving forward. With Assange no longer residing in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, prosecutors believe the conditions are now suitable to pursue the case.
Probable Cause for Suspicion

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Eva-Marie Persson stated that there remains probable cause to suspect Julian Assange committed rape. This decision to reopen the investigation is based on the belief that the initial allegations warrant further examination. The previous closure of the case in 2017 was attributed to obstacles blocking the investigation, rather than any assessment of the evidence itself.
Circumstances Allowing for Reopening

Assange was arrested on April 11, 2019, after Ecuador withdrew his diplomatic protection and he was removed from its embassy in London, where he had been living for seven years. A London court subsequently sentenced him to 50 weeks in jail on May 1 for breaching a British court order. The prosecutor has indicated that now that Assange is no longer in the embassy, the conditions are in place to proceed with questioning him and pursuing the case.
Legal Avenues and Statute of Limitations

Prosecutors intend to question Assange again and will request a Swedish court to issue a European arrest warrant, potentially remanding him in custody in absentia. The alleged victim filed a complaint in August 2010, accusing Assange of non-consensual sexual activity. Assange has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that any sexual encounter was consensual. The statute of limitations for the rape allegation is set to expire on August 17, 2020, adding a time-sensitive element to the renewed investigation.

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Why has Sweden reopened the rape investigation into Julian Assange?

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