Sweden drops rape investigation into Wikileaks' Assange

Sweden has dropped rape charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, potentially paving the way for his exit from the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Assange has been living in the embassy of the South American country since 2012, fearing extradition charges which could lead to his arrest in the US for espionage.

Swedish director of public prosecutions Marianne Ny filed the motion to the Stockholm District Court on Friday, but Assange still faces arrest in the UK for failing to turn up to court.

Metropolitan police in London said that they remain ready to arrest Assange should he leave the embassy.

Metropolitan police in London said that they remain ready to arrest Assange

"Now that the situation has changed and the Swedish authorities have discontinued their investigation into that matter, Mr Assange remains wanted for a much less serious offence. The MPS will provide a level of resourcing which is proportionate to that offence," the Met said in a statement.

Assange has denied the allegations of rape against him, which were made by two women in Sweden.

The Wikileaks founder's legal representatives have said that Assange will not leave the Ecuadorian embassy until he receives assurances that he will not be extradited to the US.

Wikileaks gained notoriety in 2010 when it began to release vast amounts of secret information belonging to the US government, including classified records on the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.