WikiLeaks founder questioned by Swedish police

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Source: AP

STOCKHOLM – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been questioned by Swedish police about an allegation that he mistreated a woman, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Leif Silbersky said Assange, an Australian citizen, was questioned by police in Stockholm for about an hour late Monday and was formally informed of the suspicions against him. Silbersky said his client denies the allegation and is hopeful prosecutors will drop the case.

Police began investigating Assange earlier this month after two Swedish women accused him of rape and molestation, but prosecutors later closed the rape investigation. Molestation is not a sex crime under Swedish law. It covers offenses such as reckless conduct or inappropriate physical contact. It can result in fines or up to one year in prison.

Assange, who was in Sweden partly to seek legal protection for WikiLeaks, has suggested that the accusations are part of a smear campaign.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_sweden_wikileaks