Berlin - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was the victim of a conspiracy, buying time for US authorities to prepare a more serious case against him, his lawyer Mark Stephens said in a German media interview published Sunday.
“The whole sex thing is just a postulated allegation over an offence that he can be detained for, while investigations over the actual, more serious crime proceed,” Stephens told Bild am Sonntag newspaper, adding that it had been instigated by the US.
“In Washington a grand jury is being prepared, not necessarily over spying (charges), but to proceed against Julian (Assange) on several counts relating to WikiLeaks,” the lawyer continued.
He said Assange was “putting on a brave face, appears to be in as good spirits as is possible in the circumstances,” adding that he now had a cell to himself in London's Wandsworth prison.
- Sapa-dpa