Assange's Swedish lawyer under investigation

The Swedish Bar Association is investigating Julian Assange’s Swedish lawyer, Björn Hurtig, who was accused of dishonesty by the London judge that ruled Assange’s extradition to Sweden for questioning over sexual misconduct allegations.

In his ruling, Justice Howard Riddle accused Hurtig of knowingly feeding false information to key witnesses about Swedish prosecutor Marriane Ny’s investigation of Assange prior to him leaving the country.

Hurtig now has until 14 March to explain his actions to the bar association, Advokatsamefundet, according to Swedish news agency, TT.

Hurtig told Swedish paper Svenska Dagbladet that he was extremely annoyed at the accusation and denied he had purposely tried to mislead the court. 

Justice Riddle said Hurtig encouraged the belief that Ny made no attempt to contact Assange in September, shortly before Assange left Sweden.

Two Swedish expert legal witness used that information to conclude that the Swedish prosecutor had not followed proper legal procedures.

However, when pressed under cross examination to check his mobile phone, Hurtig said he had replied to one of the prosecutor's (Ny's) text messages about setting up a meeting with Assange.

Justice Riddle also said it appeared that Assange had deliberately avoided interrogation prior to leaving Sweden.

Assange hired Hurtig shortly after firing Sweden’s most famous criminal lawyer, Leif Silbersky.

Assange’s British lawyers last Thursday lodged an appeal against the extradition ruling.