ACLU Statement on UN Panel Finding on Julian Assange

NEW YORK — The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has reportedly concluded that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been arbitrarily detained. An official announcement is expected Friday morning in Geneva.

Anthony D. Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, had this reaction:

“In light of this decision, it’s clear that any criminal charges against Mr. Assange in connection with Wikileaks’ publishing operations would be unprecedented and unconstitutional. Indeed, even the prolonged criminal investigation of Wikileaks itself has had a profound chilling effect. The Justice Department should end that investigation and make clear that no publisher will ever be prosecuted for the act of journalism.”