The controversy over the actions of Julian Assange seems to miss a crucial point. His motive for seeking asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy was not to avoid charges of rape in a Swedish court.
He sought asylum because he believed, once in Sweden, he would be forcibly extradited to the USA and convicted on politically motivated charges, which would have put him behind bars for life.
It is disingenuous to suggest that his supporters would in any way excuse him if he was found guilty of rape. With due respect there are many more intelligent, reliable people, including two barristers, who support Assange, than detractors who agree with John Donnellan’s view of events. Assange even has Barnaby Joyce on his side!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
