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WikiLeaks founder broke no Australian law, police say

Other News Materials 17 December 2010 09:46 (UTC +04:00)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has not broken any Australian law, police said Friday, dpa reported.

   The government asked police two weeks ago whether Assange, an Australian citizen, had committed any criminal offence in releasing thousands of confidential US government cables through the WikiLeaks website.

   "The Australian Federal Police has completed its evaluation of the material available and has not established the existence of any criminal offences where Australia would have jurisdiction," the police force said in a statement released Friday.

   The Defence Department also said Friday that the leaks had not damaged national security.

   The referral to police came after Prime Minister Julia Gillard condemned Assange's actions as "illegal."

   After the police announcement Friday, she clarified her position, saying the person who had leaked the US cables had committed the illegal act.

   She said she was "no fan" of WikiLeaks and Assange's role was "grossly irresponsible."

   But she said Assange was entitled to assistance from consular officials as was any citizen who faced legal problems overseas.

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