Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

WikiLeaks Founder Accused of Rape and Molestation in Sweden; Wrapping Up in Iraq

Aired August 21, 2010 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the next hour of the CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

Top of the hour here now -- we begin this hour with some serious allegations leveled against founder and editor of the whistle-blower Web site WikiLeaks. But these charges don't have anything to do with all of those leaked classified documents he's put on his Web site. Instead, Julian Assange is now wanted in Sweden after being charged with rape and molestation.

I'm going to turn to CNN's Atika Shubert for us. You're seeing his picture, Julian Assange, but Atika Shubert joining us on the phone now from Florence, Italy.

Good morning to you, Atika. And these are serious charges. Tell us what we know here.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): These are very serious charges. Basically, we've confirmed with the Swedish prosecutor's office that they have issued two charges last night against Julian Assange, one for molestation and one for rape.

We don't know when these incidents have occurred. The prosecutor would not give any further information. But the prosecutor's office did she say they have not been able to contact Julian Assange, and they do not know whether or not he is still in Sweden.

In terms of what Julian Assange's response is, we have not been able to contact him directly so far, but we do have this Twitter response that is issued. He said, quote, "The charges are without basis and their issue at this moment is deeply disturbing." He also put out an earlier message that said, quote, "We were warned to expect dirty tricks. Now, we have the first one."

So, clearly, Julian Assange is dismissing this, saying there's nothing to these charges. But the Swedish prosecutor's office is taking this very seriously and saying they have issued these charges and they are looking for him.

HOLMES: And tell our viewers, Atika, why he spends so much time in Sweden and he, quite frankly, they haven't been able to talk to him. Well, most of the time, people have a hard time trying to catch up with him. SHUBERT: That's right. I mean, this is a guy who shows up anywhere in the world. He pops in Europe, Africa, Australia -- where he's actually from. He was in Sweden just recently because of the increased pressure on WikiLeaks. He was basically trying to shore up some more legal support for WikiLeaks.

Sweden has some of the strongest media protection laws, whistle- blower laws in the world. And that's why WikiLeaks has based some of their servers in Sweden. He was there to try and also get a publishing license for WikiLeaks, which would give WikiLeaks added legal protection. This, however, was an entirely unexpected development and we'll just have to see how this is going to impact WikiLeaks preparations.

HOLMES: Last thing here. Give us some kind of an insight into the statement he made that you just mentioned a second ago, that he expected dirty tricks. Of course, the Pentagon, U.S. officials, have trying to find -- trying to find a way to go after him, at least to stop him from leaking all of these classified documents.

But what does he necessarily mean by he was expecting some dirty tricks?

SHUBERT: You know, it's hard to know. What I we do -- what I do know from having spoken to Julian before is that he feels that WikiLeaks is under constant threat, particularly legal threat by the Pentagon by -- you know, by the United States government, especially.

But there has been no legal threat because, so far, there has been nothing to show that WikiLeaks has done anything wrong, per se. They have leaked this information that they received but they, so far, has not been proven that they actively, you know, took that information or stole that information. They simply published what was given to them.

So, when we see this Twitter posting about dirty tricks, presumably, it's to reference the fact that there's trying to be undermined, but they haven't been able to prove -- that it hasn't been proven that they've done anything criminally wrong. So, they were expecting other attacks on WikiLeaks.

I have to say, this is a surprise though to see this kind of apparently criminal charges being leveled against Julian Assange, at the very personal attack. We'll have to see how they respond.

HOLMES: All right. Atika Shubert, on the line for us this morning -- Atika, appreciate you. Talk to you again here soon.

We will turn now to Iraq. And the pictures we were seeing this week of the last U.S. combat brigade leaving Iraq. To mark the occasion, the 4th Stryker Brigade held what's called the "casing the colors" -- a ceremony at Camp Virginia in Kuwait.

(VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: About 460 service members took part in this ceremony. The colors and flags were dipped and folded to be shipped back to Fort Lewis-McCord in Washington State. An official homecoming ceremony for the brigade's colors will be held there October the 7th.

Meanwhile, Americans tend to focus a lot on trying to wrap up -- to end combat in Iraq. A lot of people are relieved to see that last designated combat brigade out. Iraqis are still wandering what's next.

Our Arwa Damon says a deadly terrorist bombing this week reminds a lot of people that they relied on U.S. troops for far too long and for much of the security. There she is. She's joining us now live from Baghdad.

Arwa, good morning to you.

And, first, give our viewers some perspective. They have been seeing the pictures and the celebrations all week. And they've been hearing the last combat brigade is now out of Iraq. But there are brigades left who are certainly capable of combat.

ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, T.J. I mean, let's keep in mind that we are 2,000 troops away from reaching that White House goal of having levels down to 50,000 by the end of the month.

And even though they are officially being designated as non- combat, meaning that that's not necessarily their mission, their mission is to advise and assist the Iraqi security forces, it's not as if Iraq has, all of a sudden, transformed into a safe environment where the U.S. military can cast aside its weapons, its flak jackets and let down its guard. This still remains a very, very dangerous environment.

But throughout this entire drawing down process, we've been speaking with U.S. troop on their way out, and we've been speaking with Iraqis, especially about how they feel about the nation that the U.S. is leaving behind.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is it. Make sure you've got your I.D. cards on hand, too.

DAMON (voice-over): These are 24-year-old Sergeant Terry Wetzel's final hours in Iraq. Last-minute checks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) tomorrow night.

SGT. TERRY WETZEL, U.S. ARMY: Yes.

DAMON: And laughter, relief at having survived and finally going home. Wetzel is part of the last U.S. combat brigade to convoy out of Iraq, as America dials back the war to an advise and assist mission with 50,000 troops. After two tours in Iraq, Wetzel says he feels like he's aged a decade.

WETZEL: Moments I'll never forget be just, you know, one of the first firefights, the first time you get shot at. I mean, it's -- it wakes you up. You think that before you come here that, you know, you're an adult, you're a grown man. But this place will change you. I've seen some friends die and, you know, been right there and had to carry the bodies. So, I mean, a lot -- this place will change you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About that time. Four more days.

DAMON: While Wetzel could hardly wait to start heading home, Iraq still has a long way to go towards peace. It remains a nation with an uncertain future and a political vacuum as parties continue to fail to form a new government after Iraqis risk their lives to vote in the country's March elections.

Day to day life in this city is bleak. Power is sporadic at best in the scorching heat. And that remains deadly.

A suicide bombing on Tuesday targeting Iraqi recruits killing at least 48. They had been lined up for days, jockeying to be the first in line to join the Iraqi army. They found themselves the target.

This man, one of the would be recruits says he's lost hope that the Iraqi forces should not have left him so exposed given the history of attacks against similar gatherings.

Among civilians we spoke to, the U.S. departure is bittersweet.

Shumah Ahmoud (ph) says although he's happy that U.S. troops are withdrawing, he's worried about the recent deterioration in security. And says his nation's forces aren't ready yet.

For the U.S. troops now safe in Kuwait, a sense that they accomplished the commission at their level. But mostly relieve that they survive the war -- a 7 1/2-year war where victory has yet to be announced.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DAMON: No one really know if or when Iraq is going to be victorious, T.J. We've been seeing an increase in violence, especially in the capital of Baghdad. That bombing aside, there are also regular assassinations. There are gangs that are running around with silencers.

We've been noticing it, the tension amongst our Iraqi staff as well. They are very distressed. They're talking about how fearful and anxious they are when they are walking out on the street. They talk about you they're afraid to leave their homes but they're also afraid about their families when they are here at work.

And they talk about how they don't know what kind of a future awaits them if the situation here will actually stabilize to a degree that is acceptable to Iraqis -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right, Arwa Damon, thank you.

And we are going to be talking to Arwa again a little later. She's going to be with us on our 9:00 half hour that we're going to dedicate today to Iraq. We're going to be speaking to Arwa and another one of our reporters who's done some extensive reporting there in Iraq. And also, Retired General Mark Kimmitt is also going to join us live.

Again, as we always do here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, dedicate our 9:00 Eastern half hour to a special topic. Today, it's going to be Iraq. Also, going to be joined by a soldier who served in Iraq and also going to be joined by his wife who, of course, waited for him and is now happy to have him home.

Quick break. We'll be right back with more on a breaking story we're getting about the founder of WikiLeaks on molestation and rape charges. We're talking to one of the prosecutors in Sweden live.

Ten past the hour. Stay here with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Fourteen past the hour.

We're keeping a close eye on a developing story this morning. We are just getting confirmation just a short time ago that, in fact, the founder of the WikiLeaks whistle-blower Web site, Julian Assange, is now wanted in Sweden on charges of rape and molestation.

You see him there. He has been in the news a lot lately because he, in fact, on that WikiLeaks Web site released tens of thousands of documents, classified military documents related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has promised that he would release more documents, another 15,000 or so, in the coming weeks or months.

But now, he is facing charges on a more serious, a personal level, I should say -- and the charges have to do with the rape and molestation. These charges, again, are in Sweden.

He, in fact, is Australian. He really doesn't, as we heard Atika Shubert report a short time ago, have a permanent home, can't say necessarily he lives here or lives there. He just pops up literally all over the world, giving different conferences and speaking and some regards, he's seen as a hero because he is able to get his hands on these classified documents. And he sees himself as doing a service, while at the same time the Pentagon saying he's doing a disservice to many people while putting their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But again, the Pentagon had been trying to find a way to stop him from releasing a lot of these documents. For the most part, he hasn't done anything illegal. He's got his hands on this classified information from allegedly Army soldier who is now being held by the U.S. military. But, in fact other than that he hasn't done anything illegal, they would say.

But now, he is facing charges not related to the leaked information but now related to something all together different and on a much more personal level for him at least, charges of rape and molestation. We are trying to get a hold of one of the prosecutors. We are in contact with the Swedish prosecutor's office, trying to get one of them on the phone with us this morning to answer certainly a lot of questions that we have now.

But, Julian Assange, just another -- another twist to this story. Not related to the leaks. The twist is that, in fact, he is facing rape and molestation charges in Sweden.

He did put out a response today on Twitter, essentially saying that these allegations are baseless that the point. So, he has responded, acknowledging the charges. But right now, we don't know where he is. And that is usually the case.

You see the tweet up on the screen now. "The charges are without basis and their issue at this moment is deeply disturbing." He has in the past several weeks also said he expected some kind of dirty tricks against him. Not exactly sure what he was referring to, but you can make an assumption there that he was talking about a lot of people who want to shut him down, would like to shut WikiLeaks down, because of the information he does have and more information he has promised to put out -- but right now facing rape and molestation charges in Sweden.

Quick break. We continue to work that story and many others. Stay with us here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Again, the breaking story we're watching right now, Julian Assange, the founder and editor of the whistle-blowing Web site WikiLeaks is now facing some serious charges in Sweden -- charges related to rape and molestation.

I want to bring in Karin Rosander, who's director of communications at the Swedish prosecutor's office, on the line with us.

Ma'am, good morning. Thank you for joining us. And tell us what -- how much you can about these charges.

KARIN ROSANDER, SWEDISH PROSECUTION OFFICE (via telephone): Yes, his arrest and his absence, accused of molestation and rape. And he was arrested in his absence last night.

HOLMES: You say in his absence.

ROSANDER: Yes.

HOLMES: Do you know where he is? Have you been able to make any kind of a contact with him?

ROSANDER: Hello?

HOLMES: Yes, ma'am. You still hear me OK? Again, this is T.J. Holmes. I hope you can still hear me, CNN in Atlanta.

But my question was: do you all know where he is and have you been able to make contact?

ROSANDER: No. We haven't so far.

HOLMES: Do you know where he is?

ROSANDER: No, not at the moment.

HOLMES: When did these incidents allegedly take place, this molestation and rape, and are they related to the same one incident?

ROSANDER: They're two different incidents. I don't know when exactly they occurred. But he was arrested last night, as I said.

HOLMES: You said you don't know when they occurred.

ROSANDER: No, I don't.

HOLMES: Are we talking something in the recent past or maybe the distant past?

ROSANDER: I don't know anything about this actually. We have very little information at the moment.

HOLMES: Well, do you -- I assume, you said two different incidents here. What can you tell us about the alleged victims?

ROSANDER: I can't tell you anything about them because I don't know anything about the victims.

HOLMES: Well, how are you able to bring the charges? It sounds like there's not much that is known right now about this.

ROSANDER: No, that's very correct. There have been reports to the police and then the prosecutors -- prosecutors in charge decided to arrest him.

HOLMES: There were charges made -- and again, forgive us here in the United States -- and the legal system a lot of people might not understand the same there.

ROSANDER: No.

HOLMES: Again, someone has come forward with an allegation and the prosecutor decided to go ahead and issue, like you said, an arrest in absentia.

ROSANDER: Yes. Exactly. That's what happened. But who are these people, I don't know.

HOLMES: When did they come forward?

ROSANDER: I don't know that, either. I know that he was arrested in his absence last night.

HOLMES: Can you tell us what kind of punishment comes with these kinds of charges in Sweden? ROSANDER: Yes. For rape, there is -- the possibility for prison, imprisonment. Molestation, normally, don't get imprisoned for.

HOLMES: Ma'am, do you anticipate it being difficult wherever he may be to get him, if he's not in Sweden -- anticipate it being difficult to get him back there?

ROSANDER: It could be difficult. But it's too early to tell.

HOLMES: And something he has said in the past couple of weeks -- is that he expected some kind of dirty tricks because so many people were after him.

ROSANDER: OK.

HOLMES: Did you anticipate -- shouldn't say anticipate, but I just -- to get your response to something like that with him making allegations and saying that people were going to come after him for whatever reason because they want to try to find a way to shut him down.

ROSANDER: I don't know anything about it, really.

HOLMES: Did anyone else have a hand in this besides the Swedish officials and the people that came forward, simply just came forward on their own? Is that what you understand?

ROSANDER: As far as I understand, but I don't know really.

HOLMES: All right. Well, again, Karin Rosander, again on the line with us from the director -- from the Swedish prosecutor's office.

Ma'am, can you tell us at least what's the next step in this case for you, guys?

ROSANDER: The next step -- the next step is to try to get in contact with him, to interview him.

HOLMES: Will he be taken into custody?

ROSANDER: It's too early to tell yet -- before he's been interviewed.

HOLMES: All right.

But he can be charged in Sweden and arrested before he is even interviewed and before he's taken into custody?

ROSANDER: He can be arrested. And you can be under arrest for three days. Then the prosecutor has to decide whether to step further. And if the accusations aren't strong enough, they have to release him.

HOLMES: All right. ROSANDER: It all depends.

HOLMES: OK. Well, Karin Rosander, again, with the Swedish prosecutor's office -- ma'am, we appreciate you hopping on the line with us for us. Thank you so much.

ROSANDER: OK.

HOLMES: But, again, to our viewers, certainly can tell it worked differently than what we're used to it working here in the U.S. with our legal system when it comes to certainly charges this serious of rape or molestation. But, apparently, according to her, he can be taken into custody and be held for three days and then the prosecutor can then decide whether or not to move forward.

So, to hear that he has been arrested or charged right now with rape or molestation simply means he needs to be interviewed now, can be held and then another decision, according to the lady from the prosecutor's office and then another decision can be made about whether or not to move forward with the charges.

So, again, WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, is facing the serious charges. But right now, they are trying to get a hold of him and interview him and then we can see where the case will go from there.

Quick break -- and we're going to be right back to wrap this half hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Taking a look at the stories making headlines this morning. The WikiLeaks web site founder, Julian Assange, is wanted in Sweden right now but nothing to do with the leaks on his Web site. The editor of this whistle-blowing Web site is now charged with rape and molestation in Sweden. Whereabouts unknown right now.

We'll be following this story throughout the morning.

Also, Iran's first nuclear power plant is getting fuel, thanks in part to Russia's nuclear agency who's overseeing this fuel transfer, along with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran says the plan will generate electricity. But Western powers fear its construction as the first step of Iran's ultimate goal of possessing a nuclear weapon.

Also, the egg recall over that salmonella scare continues to grow. The number of eggs now being recalled is now up to half a billion. Two large scale egg producers in Iowa are recalling more than 550 million eggs due to that outbreak that began sickening hundreds of Americans last month.

Also, one more top story for you. Wyclef Jean will not be able to run for president this time around. The singer said he's shock that the nation's electoral counsel ruled that he doesn't meet the residency requirements. But he said he accepts their decision. We're going to be back at the top of the hour. More live news for you here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, including that story about the WikiLeaks founder now wanted on charges of rape and molestation.

But right now, "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D."