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WickedsDesire -> Assange's arrest a 'priority' for US attorney general (4/21/2017 8:56:17 AM)
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Assange's arrest a 'priority' for US attorney general
The US attorney general, Jeff Sessions, says arresting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is a "priority".
Mr Assange has been confined to London's Ecuadorian embassy, where he has asylum, for almost five years.
Asked about the possibility of his arrest, Mr Sessions said: "We've already begun to step up our efforts and whenever a case can be made, we will seek to put some people in jail."
Earlier reports had suggested US authorities were preparing charges.
Wikileaks, which was founded by Mr Assange, has been involved in several high-profile releases of classified US information.
"This is a matter that's gone beyond anything I'm aware of," Mr Sessions told reporters.
"We have professionals that have been in the security business of the United States for many years that are shocked by the number of leaks and some of them are quite serious.
"So yes, it is a priority."
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The Washington Post and other US media outlets report that federal prosecutors have been considering filing charges against Assange and other members of Wikileaks, citing anonymous sources.
But aside from Mr Sessions' brief comment, there has been no official confirmation from the US justice department about impending charges.
The move to prosecute Mr Assange would represent a significant departure from previous policy under President Barack Obama, when the justice department concluded it would be difficult to bring charges.
Trump turnabout means he is a complete lying fuk
Wikileaks was praised by President Donald Trump for its work during the election campaign, when it released hacked emails belonging to a Hillary Clinton aide.
Mrs Clinton later claimed they were a factor in her losing the election.
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