In a dramatic twist surrounding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lodged a criminal complaint against the Nobel Foundation, contesting the decision to award the prestigious accolade to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Assange argues that this decision risks diverting funds away from humanitarian efforts and potentially enabling war crimes, raising important questions about the ethical responsibilities tied to such honors amid global political tensions. His complaint highlights a broader conversation about the integrity of international awards and their implications in politically charged contexts.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has officially filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against the Nobel Foundation, challenging the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Assange claims that the Nobel Committee’s decision represents a “gross misappropriation” of funds, potentially facilitating war crimes under Swedish law, and has requested the cessation of the transfer of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately .18 million) designated for Machado as prize money.
The Nobel Committee awarded Machado the Peace Prize in October, recognizing her efforts in promoting democratic rights and advocating for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. However, Assange’s complaint alleges that the prize not only misuses charitable funds but also endorses actions that may contribute to international criminal activities. He accuses Machado of inciting military intervention against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and fostering conditions for violence, thereby transforming the peace prize into an “instrument of war.”
Machado’s selection is mired in controversy, particularly following her vocal support for Israel amid its military actions in Gaza. Her comment that she would move Venezuela’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem if elected has sparked outrage. In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after her Nobel recognition, Machado reaffirmed her commitment to policies that align Venezuela with U.S. support against Maduro’s government. U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, have argued that Maduro’s government poses a national security threat due to alleged connections to criminal drug operations, although this assertion has drawn skepticism from within U.S. intelligence circles.
Assange argues that Machado’s backing of Trump’s military strategies categorically disqualifies her from receiving the Nobel Prize, as such actions contravene the criteria established by Alfred Nobel’s 1895 will, which stipulates that the prize should reward those who contribute the greatest benefits to humanity and promote fraternity among nations. He contends there is a significant risk that the funds may be redirected from their intended charitable purpose to support aggression and potential war crimes.
While the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a Norwegian selection committee in Oslo, Assange maintains that the Stockholm-based Nobel Foundation should bear financial accountability for the implications of their decision. Swedish police have confirmed receipt of Assange’s complaint, adding a new chapter to the events surrounding the Nobel honors.
Julian Assange, who founded WikiLeaks in 2006, gained notoriety in 2010 for publishing classified information from U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. He sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012 to evade extradition to Sweden over accusations of sexual misconduct, a case that was eventually dropped. Following a lengthy legal battle, Assange was imprisoned in the UK from 2019 to 2024 as the U.S. pursued extradition on espionage charges. He was released after pleading guilty to a single count of violating espionage laws and returned to his native Australia in 2024.
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