Overview
- Julian Assange asks Swedish authorities to freeze the 11 million kronor Peace Prize money awarded to María Corina Machado, alleging misuse of funds and an easing of war crimes under Swedish law.
- Swedish police acknowledged receiving the complaint, while the Authority for Combating Economic Crime confirmed receipt but said it is not the competent body.
- Assange’s filing accuses 30 people linked to the Nobel Foundation and argues the Stockholm-based foundation bears financial responsibility even though the Oslo Nobel Committee selects laureates.
- Machado dedicated her award to U.S. President Donald Trump as the United States deployed warships and aircraft to the Caribbean, with reporting of strikes on suspected smuggling boats that killed dozens.
- There has been no reported prosecutorial or court action on Assange’s requests, and the complaint comes after his 2024 release to Australia following a U.S. plea deal on disclosing military secrets.