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'I am entirely innocent': Assange speaks for first time on rape allegations

Julian Assange has gone public for the first time since rape allegations surfaced more than six years ago, claiming he is “entirely innocent”.

In a statement, the WikiLeaks founder said he wants people to know “the truth” about how he ended up inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Mr Assange said he had been subjected to “six years of unlawful, politicized detention without charge in prison” and blamed the Swedish legal system for failing to take his statement six years ago.

Julian Assange pictured inside the embassy. Source: AAP
Julian Assange pictured inside the embassy. Source: AAP

“You have been found to have subjected me to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” he said.

“You have denied me effective legal representation in this process.”

Assange was named as a rape suspect in Swedish media in August 2010, but believed his life would “return to normal” after a chief prosecutor dropped the arrest warrant for him days later.

Assange supporters have protested his innocence. Source: AAP
Assange supporters have protested his innocence. Source: AAP

The Australian says he has text messages that show “clearly consensual sex between adults”, with a woman named as SW. He says the duo had sex up to five times after he stayed at her home and was later shocked by the rape accusation.

But Assange said another prosecutor, Marianne Ny, reopened the investigation a week later and issued an extradition warrant after the Australian left the country.

“My overall conclusion is that the prosecutor’s conduct of the preliminary investigation… has continued to deprive me of the right to defend myself,” he said.

Support for Assange outside the embassy. Source: AAP
Support for Assange outside the embassy. Source: AAP

Assange was arrested on December 7, 2010 and released on house arrest bail 10 days later.

He applied for asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy in June 2012.

According to his statement, Assange’s refuge at the embassy has come at a taxpayer cost of $21.2 million to October 2015.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Source: AAP
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Source: AAP

Assange’s mother told the SBS she feels “angry” about her son’s ordeal and blamed the US for his arrest.

"What does it take for the Australia government to stand up and protect my son?" Mr Assange’s mother Christine said.

"I admire what he's done and I champion what he's done."