Theft? Couple of years jail time, if that.
Libel, slander, defamation? Very hard if not impossible to prove any of those, as they were simply passing on communications that occurred, without putting spin on them.

They really want him on the basis of the Espionage Act, as it would open the scope on his detention significantly. The real issue is that if Assange's legal representation manage to provide enough evidence that he is in fact a journalist in a more modern interpretation of the word, the First Amendment rights of journalists would, I believe, supercede and nullify all of the major charges against him and Wikileaks in general.

Watch how the Espionage Act changes in the next few years to reflect America's inability to prosecute someone they so desperately want to make an example of.

WORRIED that your teeth will be stained after a heavy night drinking red wine? Fear not; drink a bottle of white wine before going to bed, to remove the stains.

OJ Simpson, Casey Anthony and Isaac Turnbaugh all sincerely thank you for your stance.

Stirling, you're clearly not stupid, don't cling to the notion that simply because a conviction has not been achieved (or perhaps even sought) that a law has not been broken. You know that's a fallacy.

WORRIED that your teeth will be stained after a heavy night drinking red wine? Fear not; drink a bottle of white wine before going to bed, to remove the stains.

No, America has not yet begun extradition with neither Sweden nor the UK. Here is a really good article with three legal opinions on the likelihood and frailties of the case. [Link]

WORRIED that your teeth will be stained after a heavy night drinking red wine? Fear not; drink a bottle of white wine before going to bed, to remove the stains.

That's clearly true.

The only problem is without a balanced judgement within a law court (which as we all know is still opinion to a certain extent, qualifed or not and can occasionally be guilty of its own injustice) but without it we come down to pointing fingers.....And to be honest, I don't know enough about the actual event to have a strong opinion on it.

I'm not a fan of Assange, though I recognise the benefit of the whistle blowing ability of the web.....though I'm not so sure I'm so willing to accept Wikileaks as some 'white knight' of fairness or judger of what should be in the public domain. They unlike a state have no mandate...So it's a double edged sword in my view.

On the other hand I don't agree with America's way over the top treatment of those it considers 'anti-American'....The sentences don't appear proportionate for what is a form of white collar crime, as I see it.

Still, Assange decided to wag the tail of the tiger, I'm not sure it's the job of this country to get involved either way in America's angst. In that I mean that any decision we take shouldn't really be bothered about Assange's situation but rather be to follow law.....Assange damaged our diplomatic relations as well but we seem to be less stressed by that than our slightly loopy 'over the pond' cousins.

Maybe the EU states are just using the US as the official 'bully boy' for someone they feel deserves payback...Maybe, who really knows.

I think he should answer for these, probably unprovable or false charges, in Sweden. However that is done doesn't bother me particularly....After that, if he escapes the USA's clutches then more power to his elbow, if not.....Well, I don't see how Britain owns him anything to go out to bat for him.

Edited by Stirlingsays (25 Feb 2013 9.37pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I couldn't agree more with Jamiemartin721. He has made it very clear that Assange should not be in any way terrorised for simply disclosing the dirty secrets of the US and other governments. As such he is doing the world a huge public service. There is a difference between genuine issues of national security and nasty cover ups of wrong doings. What horrified me a few days ago was reading a number of comments on these boards that villified Assange and made him out to be the villain of the piece. I hope those fans in due course realize how he is doing them and all of us a service by shining light on evil acts. A brave man indeed!

An interesting point was rised here on a TV programme last night. many draft dodgers from the USA decamped to Sweden during the Vietnam War and they did so as Swedens extradition rules made it impossible for them to be returned. Would this not mean that Assange would be safe to face his Swedish charges in safety and at worst enjoy the security of a Swedish prison?