US Authorities Mull Charges against WikiLeaks Founder

US federal authorities are investigating whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange violated criminal laws in the release of government documents, including possible charges under the Espionage Act, the Washington Post writes Tuesday.

The publication cites Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. saying the Justice Department and Pentagon are conducting "an active, ongoing criminal investigation.''

Other, unnamed sources, familiar with the probe, are quoted reporting the FBI is examining everyone who came into possession of the documents, including those who gave the materials to WikiLeaks and also the organization itself.

A senior defense official has said lawyers from across government agencies are studying whether it might be possible to prosecute Assange under the Espionage Act. Lawyers from the departments of Justice, State and Defense were among those looking into how to handle the leaking of a massive number of national security and diplomatic documents to the WikiLeaks website and the site's action in then posting them on the Internet.

No charges are imminent, the sources said, and it is unclear whether any will be brought.

Experts doubt Assange can be charged with espionage, because he can use the Constitution's First Amendment, guaranteeing freedom of speech.

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