"The reason for this decision is that the evidence has weakened considerably due to the long period of time that has elapsed since the events in question."
ADVERTISEMENTSweden on Tuesday announced it was dropping a rape investigation into WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
"Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson has today decided to discontinue the investigation," Swedish prosecutors said. "The reason for this decision is that the evidence has weakened considerably due to the long period of time that has elapsed since the events in question."
Assange, who has always denied the allegations, spent seven years holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London before he was dragged out in April. He faces 18 counts in the United States including conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law. He could spend decades in prison if convicted