Sweden to Reopen Preliminary Probe Into Assange's Sexual Assault Case - Prosecutors

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th May, 2019) Swedish prosecutors will reopen a preliminary investigation into sexual assault allegations against Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks co-founder currently detained in the United Kingdom, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Eva-Marie Persson said Monday.

"I have today taken the decision to reopen the preliminary investigation ... Provided that Mr. Assange will be detained in his absence, I will proceed to issue a European Arrest Warrant requesting for him to be extradited to Sweden after serving his sentence in the UK," Persson told reporters.

Persson added that she was aware of a possible conflict between the European Arrest Warrant from Sweden and US extradition request.

"In the event of a conflict between a European Arrest Warrant and a request for extradition from the US, UK authorities will decide on the order of priority," Persson said, as quoted in the statement of the Swedish Prosecution Authority.

The deputy chief of public prosecutions told reporters that Assange's extradition from Sweden to a third country would require the UK consent.