U.S. prosecutors weighing charges against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks: reports

Two media reports say U.S. prosecutors are preparing or closely considering charges against the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, including its founder Julian Assange, for revealing sensitive government secrets.

CNN reports that authorities are preparing to seek Assange’s arrest.

0:40 Julian Assange stands by pledge to be extradited, provided his rights are protected

• Julian Assange stands by pledge to be extradited, provided his rights are protected
• U.S. would extradite Julian Assange if he leaves Ecuadorian embassy: Ex-CIA agent
• WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange questioned in London
• Protesters gather outside Ecuadorian embassy in support of Julian Assange

Previous Video

Next Video

The Washington Post reports prosecutors are weighing charges against the organization’s members after the Obama-era Justice Department declined to do so.

The newspaper says possible charges include conspiracy, theft of government property and violating the Espionage Act.

READ MORE: WikiLeaks releases trove of new documents on alleged CIA hacking tools

WikiLeaks last month released documents it says reveal secrets about the CIA’s cyberespionage tools for breaking into targeted computers, cellphones and smart TVs. It previously published 250,000 State Department cables and embarrassed the U.S. military with logs from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Assange’s attorney says authorities have not apprised him of the status of their investigation.