Julian Assange is expected to be cleared of three sexual assault claims next week after spending so long in hiding in Britain that the allegations have expired.
The Wikileaks founder has been staying at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for more than three years at a cost to the taxpayer of around £12 million.
He is avoiding extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over the alleged crimes, which include violent sexual assault. Within a week, three of the four claims he faces will have reached their five-year expiry date under Sweden's statute of limitations.
As a result Assange, 44, is due to be cleared, Swedish prosecutors told the Times. Assange, who denies the sex claims, has feared that he will be extradited on to the US over data leaks.
