Surprise Witness: I Don't Like Assange, but He's Being Framed

[Time for change]

Source: Aol News

A surprise witness appeared at Julian Assange's extradition hearing in London today and said he believes he has compelling evidence that the WikiLeaks founder is being framed on sexual assault allegations. Goran Rudling, 59, a retired Swedish businessman and crusader for the reform of Swedish rape laws… said he tracked down tweets he said were posted and then abruptly deleted by Anna Ardin, one of the two accusers, that would seem to run counter to her later claims that Assange pinned her down forcibly during sex and deliberately tore a condom.

"My interest in sexual offense law and reform to ensure better protection under the law for victims led me to follow the Assange case," Rudling said in his official witness statement… "I should add that I am by no means a supporter of WikiLeaks or Julian Assange (I am critical of their work) and I have no liking of Mr. Assange. My only concern has been to… avoid a possible miscarriage of justice." …

Rudling told the court that Ardin sent out several tweets less than 24 hours after her allegedly violent sexual encounter with Assange. In one she asks if anyone is having a crayfish party that night that she and Assange could attend… "The tweets reveal that Ms. Ardin had a high opinion of Mr. Assange and that she very much enjoyed his company while he was staying at her home, and these were posted after the alleged sexual assault." …

AOL News reported exclusively on Friday that one of the witnesses in the investigation, Swedish journalist and photographer Donald Bostrom, said that Ardin told three different versions of what happened between her and Assange. Bostrom said Ardin admitted lying to him and changing her story. Then she told a third version to police, he said.

[On the Road]

1. Sounds Like Ardin Might Have Her Own Legal Problems

Would erasing the tweets count as destroying evidence?

It's got to count for something that the complaints were made not after the sexual encounter, but after Ardin discovered Assange has slept with another member of their social circle.

[Time for change]

7. Better yet...

Maybe now she'll be amenable to admitting what kind of pressure was put on her to do what she did, and who did it.

In my opinion, there are some very powerful people behind this.

[Kolesar]

8. Investigators should "sweat her out" and make her moan

errr, sing!

[Enthusiast]

34. U.S. influence. nt

[DeSwiss]

56. I'm sure the US will take care of that.....

...since we're the reason for all this to begin with.

What's so amusing to me, is that the stupid fucks in the WH and the State Department tried to cast these sexual aspersions upon Assange's reputation in order to ruin his credibility -- and yet all they've succeeded in doing is making him more popular and credible than before they began.


- What a bunch of maroons we've got running things......


K&R

[MilesColtrane]

2. This has been a 'he said/she said' case from the beginning.

I've always thought that Assange would escape any kind of sentencing, trial, or maybe even charges for lack of evidence.

His refusal to go back to Sweden, grounded in his fears, rational or not, only made him look like he had something to hide.

[crikkett]

5. Julian does have something to hide:

his behind from American prisons.

[EFerrari]

19. Assange has no American charges pending and Holder's search

for something to charge him with is essentially illegal.

[AndyTiedye]

6. A Justifiable Fear of Being "Railroaded"

The Wikileaks disclosures have embarrassed a lot of powerful people. They want revenge.

[greiner3]

14. You forgot your sarcasm icon;

Again.

[Diclotican]

38. MilesColtrane

MilesColtrane

Many powerfull persons in Sweden have openly said, if mr Assage was to came to Sweden, he would be arrested, and also sendt over to US government.. Who would more than posible send him to Gutanamo Bay as a prisoner wihtout any rights...

And I would also do my best, to risk be put on Gutanamo Bay for the next Decade or so... Gutanamo Bay is a crime in itself, and as long as this KZ camp (yes I would call it a KZ camp as long as pepole are there for infitive time, and are also known to have been killed there) are in ativity it would be something that every man with a ince of intelligence would try to avoid

It sounds, and smell more and more like an set-up from some mighty groups and persons... Like the CIA, who togheter with KGB in the old times was known to use "Honey traps" to destroy someone who was deemed a danger to them...

And CIA are still quite capable of doing this even today... Even FSB are able to do it, then CIA with all the moeny and power they have, should be able to muster a honey trap easy

Diclotican

[SpiralHawk]

3. "D'oh" - People with Common Sense

[Oceansaway]

4. K&R...n/t

[defendandprotect]

9. Glad to see that Bostrom has come forth -

AOL News reported exclusively on Friday that one of the witnesses in the investigation, Swedish journalist and photographer Donald Bostrom, said that Ardin told three different versions of what happened between her and Assange. Bostrom said Ardin admitted lying to him and changing her story. Then she told a third version to police, he said.

[sufrommich]

12. Isn't this the same guy who claimed that Israel was stealing

organs from Palestinians?
If so, I'd believe him about as far as I could throw him.

[defendandprotect]

13. If so, drag up the report ...

[sufrommich]

16. Anatomy of a Swedish Blood Libel

Allegations that Israel plunders and trafficks Palestinians' organs are ugly, false, and harmful to peace efforts. No less dangerous—such libels spread.

The Aug. 17 story by Donald Bostrom in Aftonbladet, Scandanavia's leading daily, has quickly metastasized to mainstream Muslim media, spawning cartoons of Jews stealing body parts and drinking Arab blood. These have been published in Syria, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, to name a few.

In early September, Algeria's al-Khabar newspaper echoed Mr. Bostrom in a new fantasy claiming Jewish-directed gangs of Algerians and Moroccans round up Algerian children, spirit them into Morocco and thence to Israel to have their body parts harvested and sold. On Sept. 17, Iran's PressTV breathlessly declared "an international Jewish conspiracy to kidnap children and harvest their organs is gathering momentum."

Hate-filled Web sites have also taken up the theme. Almost invariably, wherever such permutations on the idea of Israeli organ theft appear, Aftonbladet is cited.

Of course, Mr. Bostrom has enjoyed newfound acclaim in some quarters for his article. As the fresh rumors of child-snatching and organ theft circulated in Algeria, the National Federation of Algerian Journalists welcomed him last month to bestow an award for excellence, and promised support for his work.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574470712953449876.html

[defendandprotect]

17. I'm sure that will effect the opinion re Bostrom ... not necessarily the info, however ....

IF it did appear on the internet --

and he's not telling us anything that hasn't been made clear by the behavior of

both of these women -- and the alliances.

[nomb]

27. of course it does.

[The Doctor.]

29. I'd love to hear an explanation of 'how' it affects the information.

I'll wait, but I won't hold my breath.

[nomb]

31. If someone first tells me Jews steal organs - this colors my reaction to whatever they say next.

[Time for change]

32. Let me make this clear

Bostrom neither wrote this article (the one excerpted the OP), nor is he the witness who is the main focus of the article. He is merely quoted in this article in referring to a different article that Bostrom wrote.

[defendandprotect]

54. Thanks TLC --

and apologies because I didn't go back and read or review the story and the

actual author of it -- otherwise, I wouldn't have pushed for an airing of the

article the other poster referenced!!

Interesting how desperate the attempt to interrupt positive thoughts for Assange!!

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[stockholmer]

39. Doctor admits Israeli pathologists harvested organs without consent (the Guardian UK)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/21/israeli-pathologists-harvested-organs (months later after the WSJ, et al, attacked, and after the initial controversy had died down)

then, months later again (into 2010 now).....

Five Israelis charged with organ trafficking
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/22/israel-organ-trafficking-charges

"Israel has charged five of its citizens, including a retired army general, with operating a nationwide organ trafficking ring that ensnared dozens of potential victims. The charges include human trafficking for the purpose of organ harvesting and money laundering.

The indictment says that the ring exploited the desperate condition of sick people and called it a "form of modern slavery." The traffickers allegedly offered up to $100,000 per kidney but in at least two cases did not pay the donors, who were sought through advertisements and then flown from Israel to Europe, South America or Southeast Asia, where the organs were extracted in illegal procedures. Israeli law bans organ sales."


now, back to the Aftonbladet story ...


New York man accused of trying to broker kidney sale (the US FBI arrested the man in the Aftonbladet article for organ trafficking and money laundering, along with several other Israelis)

http://articles.cnn.com/2009-07-23/justice/nj.corruption.kidney_1_sale-of-human-organs-complaint-kidney?_s=PM:CRIME

‘I Am What You Call a Matchmaker’

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/07/i_am_what_you_call_a_matchmake.html



here is a English translation of the Aftonbladet article

http://www.aftonbladet.se/kultur/article5691805.ab


here is the Israeli national TV documentary about it (again months later)
http://www.mako.co.il/news-israel/health/Article-2f068ab0353a521004.htm

"Channel 2 TV reported that in the 1990s, specialists at Abu Kabir harvested skin, corneas, heart valves and bones from the bodies of Israeli soldiers, Israeli citizens, Palestinians and foreign workers, often without permission from relatives.

The Israeli military confirmed to the programme that the practice took place, but added: "This activity ended a decade ago and does not happen any longer."


and finally, from the progressive USA magazine, Counterpunch

Israeli Organ Harvesting
By ALISON WEIR
http://www.counterpunch.org/weir08282009.html (many sources)


As a Swede, I am proud that our government and our newspapers stood up for free speech on many occasions, no matter what side was angered

they refused to apologize for Lars Vilks' Muhammad as a Rondellhund pictures
http://www.thelocal.se/8350/20070831/

and in this organ case too, even after the Swedish Ambassador to Israel overstepped her authority, and tried to condemn it at first

http://www.haaretz.com/news/sweden-not-party-to-envoy-s-censure-of-idf-organ-harvesting-article-1.282327

"Swedish opposition leaders on Thursday slammed Borsiin Bonnier for calling the article "shocking and appalling," and accused her of interfering with freedom of speech.

Green Party spokesman Per Gahrton said Borsiin Bonnier should be recalled and taught the basics of Swedish freedom of speech. The Swedish Foreign Ministry declined to comment on her statement.

The editor of Aftonbladet on Wednesday hit back hard at both Bonnier and Israeli critics for attacking his paper's coverage, and accused them of hiding behind claims of anti-Semitism to avoid the subject raised in the article. Israel condemned the report as blood libel.

"It's deeply unpleasant and sad to see such a strong propaganda machine using centuries-old anti-Semitic images in an apparent attempt to get an obviously topical issue off the table," said editor Jan Helin."



http://www.vosizneias.com/37911/2009/09/06/stockholm-sweden-foreign-minister-cancels-israel-visit/

[sufrommich]

41. Don't even try to confuse this with the article which claims

that Israel KILLED Palestinians to harvest organs! What an asinine post.

[rhett o rick]

42. That's no argument. Sounds like you are in a corner and lashing out. nm

[sufrommich]

43. What are you talking about? nt

[rhett o rick]

48. Instead of posting a rebuttal, you attack the poster. "What an asinine post. "

That's always the last ditch move.

[boppers]

59. People were killed. Organs were harvested.

All that's required is assumption of intent, and, well, that kind of mistake gets made a lot.

Like assuming that every article which mentions the circumstances is a blood libel article.

[aquart]

64. And Israel prosecuted them for their criminal acts.

Which is a loooonnnng way from saying ISRAEL committed the criminal acts.

[SidDithers]

15. Yup. Same guy...

http://www.aftonbladet.se/kultur/article5691805.ab

Sid

[mike_c]

18. to be clear, it's the same JOURNALIST writing both stories, not the same...

...witness. Rudling is the surprise witness, not Bostrom (the journalist).

[SidDithers]

21. You're right. Good clarification...

But this subthread is specifically about Bostrom.

Sid

[liberation]

40. "But this subthread is specifically about Bostrom."

Then why are we discussing the journalist now?

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SidDithers]

63. I don't know; Ask the poster in post #9 why they brought up Bostrom...nt

Sid

[Time for change]

23. Yes, and Bostrom is NOT the author of story that is the subject of this post

[mike_c]

25. you're right-- Dana Kennedy wrote the OP story, Bostrom has written elsewhere...

...about the sexual misconduct allegations.

[defendandprotect]

51. K/R -- exactly --

[sufrommich]

20. The whole accusation has been thoroughly debunked,although I

doubt that would stop those who choose to believe.

[Bragi]

46. Nice -- A 25-plus posting distraction!

Impressive work. Didn't derail the whole thread, but a good try.

[grahamhgreen]

60. It's amazing! Who are these people?

[aquart]

65. Which people?

[Pale Blue Dot]

10. Kick. nt

[xchrom]

11. recommend

[apnu]

22. Further evidence that what is said on the Internet, stays on the Internet.

I'm surprised that many people think they have anonymity and that they think what they say won't come back to haunt them. Especially on Facebook, Twitter and the rest of social media. That's just straight up stupidity.

I make it a practice to not run my mouth on social media, and I stand by every word I say. And if wrong, I don't edit my content, I add a new post stating that I was wrong on that matter.

Interestingly, nothing has come back to bite me in the butt. Who would have thought that?

[stockholmer]

47. kinda like what happens in Vegas................ stays in a government database forever :D

[glinda]

57. Cloud.

[Uncle Joe]

24. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Time for change.

[xchrom]

26. kick

[uppityperson]

28. When I was raped by a boyfriend, we didn't break up for months

We still attended events, I still spoke highly of him. It wasn't the rape but the continuing violence that finally got me to leave and speak out about what all was going on that I had hidden.

FWIW, you don't often know what really happens and yes, both men and women lie.

[RandomThoughts]

33. of coarse

but that shows how they do it

Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg8cDmi7-U8


Thats why you have to carry the oil in you.

and I am due beer and travel money, and many experiences.

and that will be paid or it proves the world does not exist.

and google is being framed by intelligence also, not them doing it

[Capitalocracy]

35. what kind of weird psychological issue would lead someone to

deliberately tear a condom?

or to invent a story that someone else did?

[wildflower]

36. "crusader for the reform of Swedish rape laws"?

"Goran Rudling, 59, a retired Swedish businessman and crusader for the reform of Swedish rape laws..."

[Better Believe It]

37. K & R

[Overseas]

45. and we saw them working up the story -- earlier version didn't stick

so they went more tawdry after the diplomatic cable dump.

I forget what they were trying out at first, after the Afghan diaries -- sexual harassment, I think.

Putting rape allegations out there this time really allowed for waves of disgust to be discussed for quite a while before more accurate information became available.

The PR worked pretty well in the USA. Lots more talk about Assange himself and not the content of the thousands of documents released.

I'm glad the court is hearing more rational voices.

[newtothegame]

49. Is this like the trolls on DU? "I don't like Bush BUT..." nt

[liberation]

50. In fantasy land maybe, the real ones in this site go more like "I like liberals BUT..."

[marshall]

52. I don't anyone that knows him likes him

But that doesn't mean he's guilty of anything criminal.

[glinda]

58. Don't know him but I like him. Seems like he has looked inward a lot. Super smart.

[defendandprotect]

53. I'd still like to know how many have actually been charged and tried ....

under this "broken condom" law -- and what the penalties are for it that would

warrant an international chase after Assange -- ???

Granted, I also understand there are forces trying to extend this to an assault/rape --

of two women!

And, again, Sweden doesn't seem to have any kind of a viable record on processing rape

charges -- except in the case of Assange!!


:eyes:

[Time for change]

61. If Sweden gets hold of him, they may extradite him to the US to face charges of spying

In that case he is likely to be executed or sent to Guantanamo. I'd rather be exectued.

I think that's what this is all about.

[defendandprotect]

66. Agree -- sadly!!

Imo, we have runaway fascism controlling our government --

[bertman]

55. Sounds like the 'long arm of the law' might have been twistin' Ms Ardin's arm..

[sulphurdunn]

62. Whether or not people accused

of doing what Assange and Manning are accused of are ever convicted of a crime is not the point, since justice is not the point. They have been made to suffer, and will continue to suffer and that is the message to anyone with similar ideas.