Julian Assange to be interviewed by Swedish authorities

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be questioned by Swedish authorities on Nov. 14 at Ecuador's London embassy, where he has been living for four years, Swedish prosecutors said Monday.

Ecuador, which granted Assange asylum, approved a Swedish request for a hearing regarding a rape allegation in 2010. The hearing, to be conducted by an Ecuadorian official, was postponed from Oct. 17 so that Assange's lawyer could be present; Sweden's Chief Prosecutor Ingrid Isgren and a Swedish police investigator will also be present on Nov. 14. A statement by the Swedish Prosecution Authority added a DNA sample will be sought at the hearing if Assange is willing to provide one.

Assange, 45, denies the rape allegation, and no charges have been filed against him thus far. He sought asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy after saying he fears extradition to the United States, to face prosecution for the publication of secret U.S. government documents by WikiLeaks, if he is forced to return to Sweden. The United States has not charged Assange or sought his extradition.

The hearing could be the means for a breakthrough in the deadlock, The Wall Street Journal said Monday.