Fri Dec 19 07:38:50 UTC 2025: News Article:
Assange Files Criminal Complaint Against Nobel Foundation Over Venezuela Prize, Cites ‘War Crime’ Risk
STOCKHOLM – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has launched a criminal complaint in Sweden against the Nobel Foundation, challenging its decision to award this year’s Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Assange argues the prize is a “gross misappropriation” of funds and could facilitate “war crimes,” seeking to freeze the 11 million Swedish kronor ($1.18 million) in prize money.
The Nobel Committee awarded Machado the prize in October, citing her work promoting democratic rights and a peaceful transition from dictatorship. However, Assange’s complaint accuses 30 individuals associated with the Nobel Foundation of misappropriating funds, facilitating war crimes and crimes against humanity, and financing crimes of aggression. He contends that awarding the prize to Machado, whom he accuses of inciting U.S. military pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, transforms “an instrument of peace” into “an instrument of war.”
Assange further argues that Machado’s support for Israel and for U.S. military actions against Venezuela disqualify her from consideration, violating the criteria established by Alfred Nobel’s will. He claims the funds risk being diverted to facilitate aggression and war crimes.
The complaint was lodged with Swedish police, who have confirmed its receipt. This comes after Assange’s own legal battles, including years spent in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and subsequent imprisonment, related to WikiLeaks’ publication of sensitive U.S. military information. He was released from prison earlier this year after pleading guilty to violating espionage laws as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department and has since returned to his native Australia.
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