WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange filed a criminal complaint against the Nobel Foundation on Wednesday — accusing officials of facilitating war crimes and misappropriating funds. The prominent activist also accused recent Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado of “inciting the US administration” in commissioning “international crimes”. The developments came even as President Donald Trump ordered a ‘blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers leaving and entering Venezuela and reiterated calls for the downfall of Nicolas Maduro.
“The political decision of the Norwegian selection committee does not suspend the fiduciary duty of Swedish funds administrators. Any disbursement contradicting this mandate constitutes misappropriation from the endowment,” the WikiLeaks X handle quoted Assange as saying.
The complaint was submitted to the Swedish Economic Crime Authority and War Crimes Unit on Wednesday and called for the award to be revoked. Assange has called for the approximately $1.18 million payout to be blocked and demanded a return of her medal.
Machado inciting Trump?
Assange argued that Machado was ineligible for the award (under criteria set out by Alfred Nobel) due to her actions. He also accused the Nobel Foundation of ‘facilitating war crimes’ and noted that they had previously withheld Literature Prize disbursements in 2018. He contended that their failure to intervene in the current situation was equivalent to ‘criminal liability’.
“Because the accused are aware of Machado’s incitement and endorsement of the US commission of international crimes, and knew or ought to have known that the disbursement of Nobel monies would contribute to extrajudicial killings of civilians and shipwrecked survivors at sea and are in breach of their obligation to cease disbursements,” the lengthy update from WikiLeaks added.
Trump orders ‘blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers leaving, entering Venezuela
US President Donald Trump ordered on Tuesday a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, in Washington’s latest move to increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s government, targeting its main source of income. It is unclear how Trump will impose the move against the sanctioned vessels, and whether he will turn to the Coast Guard to interdict vessels like he did last week. The administration has moved thousands of troops and nearly a dozen warships – including an aircraft carrier – to the region.