US draws up ‘secret charges’ against Assange

In what can be seen as more trouble brewing for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, US prosecutors have drawn up ‘secret charges’ against him, a confidential email quoted by Australian media said.

US-based global intelligence company Stratfor is said to be behind the email.

Sydney Morning Herald has quoted an internal communication between Stratfor analysts and vice-president of intelligence Fred Burton in which Burton said: “We have a sealed indictment on Assange.”

The newspaper also said that the information also had a request ‘to protect it and not publish’, including that the vice-president of intelligence Fred Burton had secure binding with the US intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Julian Assange, the Australian publisher and founder of WikiLeaks, is currently awaiting Britain’s Supreme Court verdict on his appeal against extradition to Sweden on allegations of sexual molestation.

He has denied allegations and claims that they are politically motivated.

Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson said, “Irrespective of what happens now we have confirmation that there is a sealed indictment, that we could be seeing an extradition request from the US irrespective of the outcome.”

She also said, “We will not permit, and we will not tolerate Assange’s transfer to the US, to face charges that could potentially land him in prison, potentially for decades."

"It is time the Australian government and the Australian people start asking questions. He is an Australian citizen and he deserves our protection,” she added.