Sex accusers boasted about their 'conquest' of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

Tags:wikileaks|Sofia Wilen|Social Democratic Party|Julian Assange|CIA|Anna Ardin

Anna Ardin: Condom broke

The two Swedish women who have brought sex charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange boasted about their relationship with him days before going to police.

Based on information available on various websites quoting police and court files, and reports in the Swedish media, here's an account of what happened.

The story goes back to August this year, when Assange was in Stockholm to speak at the invitation of Sweden's Social Democratic Party.

The event organizer was 31-year-old Anna Ardin, press secretary of the Brotherhood Movement, which is an adjunct of the Social Democratic Party. Ardin, who has been described as a feminist, leftist and animal rights activist, previously worked at the Uppsala University, handling equality issues for the students' union. (After pressing charges against Assange, she has been called a "CIA agent" on various blogs and Twitter. The internet is abuzz with conspiracy theories on how Assange was framed. Speculation about her ties to CIA is being fuelled by her alleged association with anti-Castro groups funded by the US.)

When Assange arrived in Stockholm on August 11, Ardin invited him to stay at her flat while she visited her family for a few days out in the country. Ardin returned home on August 13; she and Assange had sex that night. Both have admitted a condom was used and it broke. On August 20, Ardin would go to police alleging that Assange deliberately broke the condom during sex.

8 November 2010 Last updated at 11:31 GMT Share this page * Facebook * Twitter * Share * Email * Print Gaga among stars quitting Facebook for charity

Lady Gaga is hugely popular with online followers

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• Lady Gaga sets new Twitter record
• Lady Gaga sets Facebook record

Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Usher are among stars signing off social media including Facebook and Twitter in aid of singer Alicia Keys' charity.

The campaign Digital Life Sacrifice will raise money on Wednesday - World Aids Day - for Keep a Child Alive, which supports families affected by HIV/Aids in Africa and India.
The celebrities have filmed "last tweet and testament" videos.
They will sign back online when the charity raises $1 million.
Their videos will appear in adverts showing them lying in coffins to represent what the campaign calls their digital deaths.
Lady Gaga is hugely popular on Facebook with nearly 24 million fans, plus more than seven million followers on Twitter.
Grammy-winning singer Keys, 29, said it was "really important and super-cool to use mediums that we naturally are on".
"It's so important to shock you to the point of waking up," the R&B singer said. "It's not that people don't care or it's not that people don't want to do something, it's that they never thought of it quite like that."

Keys married Swizz Beatz in August

The campaign also includes Elijah Wood, Jennifer Hudson, Ryan Seacrest, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Serena Williams and Keys' husband, rapper-producer Swizz Beatz.
"This is such a direct and instantly emotional way and a little sarcastic, you know, of a way to get people to pay attention," said Keys, who has more than 2.6 million followers on Twitter.
Leigh Blake, the president and co-founder of Keep a Child Alive, said: "We're trying to sort of make the remark: 'Why do we care so much about the death of one celebrity as opposed to millions and millions of people dying in the place that we're all from?'"
He added that he thought Lady Gaga would raise the money "all by herself".
"She's got a very, very mobilised fan base and that's beautiful to watch I think (and) she's able to draw their attention to these issues that are very important, you know, and that people follow it and act."
Celebrity requests accepted Keys, who gave birth to her son Egypt last month, said recruiting celebrities was difficult because of scheduling, but "once I got people on the phone and I was able to paint the concept for them, everybody was in".
She added that no-one refused her request.
Keys is hoping more people, not just famous names, will get involved in the initiative.
"It just doesn't have to be just because you're a celebrity or something like that. It can be anybody."
She added that being mother and wife made her want to help others even more.
"As a human being, you deserve to have a chance at life," she said.

Wallis Simpson bracelet breaks auction records

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Some of the jewellery which once belonged to Wallis Simpson

A bracelet owned by Wallis Simpson, whose affair with Edward VIII led to his abdication, has sold for a world record-breaking £4.5m ($7m) at auction.

The Cartier-designed diamond panther bracelet, was sold by Sotheby's.
It was the most expensive bracelet and most expensive Cartier item to be sold at any auction.
It was one of 20 pieces owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to go under the hammer in the sale, which raised a total of £7,975,550 ($12,417,369m).
The jewellery collection had been expected to fetch around £3m ($4.6m).
A ruby, sapphire, emerald, citrine and diamond Cartier flamingo clip was another big seller reaching £1,721,250 ($2,679,712). All prices include the buyer's premium.
David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby's Jewellery in Europe and the Middle East, said the Duchess was "a leader of fashion and the epitome of elegance and sophistication for her generation and beyond".
He said: "The offering comprises not only incomparable examples of the genius of Cartier in collaboration with the Windsors, but also pieces whose inscriptions tell the story of perhaps the greatest love story of the 20th century, the romance that led Edward VIII to abdicate the throne of Great Britain."

Today presenter James Naughtie slips up on air

Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie has apologised for causing offence live on air on Monday by mispronouncing Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's surname.
The presenter inadvertently used an offensive four-letter word just before 0800 GMT on Radio 4's Today programme.
Naughtie said he was "very sorry" for any offence caused.
Mr Hunt tweeted: "They say prepare for anything before going on Today but that took the biscuit. I was laughing as much as u Jim."
"Or should I say Dr Spooner," he added.

Mr Hunt was interviewed on the programme about his plans for universal broadband provision and how superfast broadband will be delivered in the UK.
Naughtie inadvertently used the first letter of the Culture Secretary's title to replace the 'H' in Mr Hunt's surname.
The presenter told listeners shortly after his error that he got himself into a "verbal tangle courtesy of Dr Spooner."
According to e-mails sent in response to his mistake, Naughtie said: "Some found it funny, some were fairly offended."
"Occasionally these things happen in live broadcasting," he continued.

Mr Hunt appeared on Today to talk about broadband provision plans

"I'm very sorry to anyone who thought it wasn't what they wanted to hear over their breakfast - neither did I, needless to say."
Later on Monday, broadcaster Andrew Marr repeated the four-letter expletive on Radio 4's Start the Week programme.
"We're not going to repeat it in quite the terms it happened," he told listeners, before doing precisely that.
After his error, he told the audience: "I should apologise for saying it again, but it's very hard to talk about it without saying it."
A BBC spokeswoman said: "James and Andrew regret what happened and have both apologised for their verbal tangles on air.
"These instances both involved a slip of the tongue during a live broadcast and we apologise for any offence caused.

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark stars left dangling

The stars of the Spider-Man musical - the most expensive show to be staged on Broadway - were left dangling in mid-air in its first preview performance.

Lead Reeve Carney and actress Natalie Mendoza were suspended at different times over the crowd as flying stunts went wrong, audience members said.
The New York Times said the $65m (£41.8m) show was stopped five times and ran for more than three hours.
The music for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is by U2's Bono and The Edge.
The New York Times said the audience was reduced to laughter after Carney was left dangling yards above them while backstage staff tried to grab his foot to pull him down.
But the paper said most of the stunts "went off without a hitch, with children and some adults squealing in delight".
The New York Post, meanwhile, called it an "epic flop", saying the show's "hi-tech gadgetry went completely awry amid a dull score and baffling script".
Producers were not available for comment.

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“Start Quote

If you don't have fear, then you are not taking a chance”

End Quote Director Julie Taymor

Director Julie Taymor, who won Tony Awards for her work on The Lion King, has said the cost of the show - billed as "a thrilling experience in ways never before dreamed possible in live theatre" - is due to the complexities of more than 20 flying sequences.

Taymor, as well as Bono and The Edge, have previously said they expected technical problems in early performances.
In an interview with CBS broadcast on Sunday night, Taymor admitted she was "scared".
"If you don't have fear, then you are not taking a chance," she said.
The show has been several years in the making and has been beset by delays, injuries and financial difficulties.

Broke Mexicana stewardesses launch racy calendar

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The stewardesses paid out of their own pockets to cover production costs

Female flight attendants from ailing Mexican airline Mexicana have launched a racy aviation calendar in an attempt to ease their financial worries.

The 2011 calendar features the 10 women clad in bikinis and sunglasses draped over parts of an aircraft. Its first run sold out before the launch.
The women said they wanted to help themselves after losing so much.
The airline, which has debts of about $800m (£500m), filed for bankruptcy in August and has suspended operations.
The calendar has evoked comparisons with the 1997 film The Full Monty, in which a group of unemployed British steelworkers organise a striptease act.
"It occurred to me because we all needed money, and I thought that with so many pretty girls there were bound to be some who'd be interested," said organiser Coral Perez, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.

Mexicana has proposed cutting salaries and staff

The 10 stewardesses each paid some money out of their own pockets towards the 100,000 peso ($8,000) production costs.
A thousand copies of the $12 (£7.50) calendar have already been sold, and a second edition of 3,000 is being produced.
The 89-year-old airline suffered heavy losses because of Mexico's recession in 2009 and an outbreak of swine flu the same year which caused a sharp fall in tourism.
After filing for bankruptcy protection Mexicana proposed deep pay cuts for pilots and crew, as well as a 40% reduction in the workforce.

Today presenter James Naughtie slips up on airJames Naughtie Naughtie said he had got himself into a "verbal tangle" Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie has apologised for causing offence live on air on Monday by mispronouncing Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's surname. The presenter inadvertently used an offensive four-letter word just before 0800 GMT on Radio 4's Today programme. Naughtie said he was "very sorry" for any offence caused. Mr Hunt tweeted: "They say prepare for anything before going on Today but that took the biscuit. I was laughing as much as u Jim." "Or should I say Dr Spooner," he added. Mr Hunt was interviewed on the programme about his plans for universal broadband provision and how superfast broadband will be delivered in the UK. Naughtie inadvertently used the first letter of the Culture Secretary's title to replace the 'H' in Mr Hunt's surname. The presenter told listeners shortly after his error that he got himself into a "verbal tangle courtesy of Dr Spooner." According to e-mails sent in response to his mistake, Naughtie said: "Some found it funny, some were fairly offended." "Occasionally these things happen in live broadcasting," he continued. Jeremy Hunt Mr Hunt appeared on Today to talk about broadband provision plans "I'm very sorry to anyone who thought it wasn't what they wanted to hear over their breakfast - neither did I, needless to say." Later on Monday, broadcaster Andrew Marr repeated the four-letter expletive on Radio 4's Start the Week programme. "We're not going to repeat it in quite the terms it happened," he told listeners, before doing precisely that. After his error, he told the audience: "I should apologise for saying it again, but it's very hard to talk about it without saying it." A BBC spokeswoman said: "James and Andrew regret what happened and have both apologised for their verbal tangles on air. "These instances both involved a slip of the tongue during a live broadcast and we apologise for any offence caused."

Naughtie said he had got himself into a "verbal tangle"

Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie has apologised for causing offence live on air on Monday by mispronouncing Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's surname.

The presenter inadvertently used an offensive four-letter word just before 0800 GMT on Radio 4's Today programme.
Naughtie said he was "very sorry" for any offence caused.
Mr Hunt tweeted: "They say prepare for anything before going on Today but that took the biscuit. I was laughing as much as u Jim."
"Or should I say Dr Spooner," he added.

Mr Hunt was interviewed on the programme about his plans for universal broadband provision and how superfast broadband will be delivered in the UK.
Naughtie inadvertently used the first letter of the Culture Secretary's title to replace the 'H' in Mr Hunt's surname.
The presenter told listeners shortly after his error that he got himself into a "verbal tangle courtesy of Dr Spooner."
According to e-mails sent in response to his mistake, Naughtie said: "Some found it funny, some were fairly offended."
"Occasionally these things happen in live broadcasting," he continued.

Mr Hunt appeared on Today to talk about broadband provision plans

"I'm very sorry to anyone who thought it wasn't what they wanted to hear over their breakfast - neither did I, needless to say."
Later on Monday, broadcaster Andrew Marr repeated the four-letter expletive on Radio 4's Start the Week programme.
"We're not going to repeat it in quite the terms it happened," he told listeners, before doing precisely that.
After his error, he told the audience: "I should apologise for saying it again, but it's very hard to talk about it without saying it."
A BBC spokeswoman said: "James and Andrew regret what happened and have both apologised for their verbal tangles on air.
"These instances both involved a slip of the tongue during a live broadcast and we apologise for any offence caused."

Lee Harvey Oswald's coffin up for auction

The coffin which used to contain the body of Lee Harvey Oswald is to be sold at auction in a few weeks.

The man believed to have shot President John F Kennedy was interred in the pine coffin for almost 20 years.
He was exhumed in 1981 as his widow wanted to verify that it was him inside the coffin, and then reburied in a new casket in the same Texas cemetery.
Auction officials say bidding for the item will start at $1,000 (£640) but they expect it to go much higher.
"There's just a lot of interest in Kennedy and anything to do with his assassination," said Laura Yntema, manager for Nate D Sanders auction house.
Oswald was arrested about an hour after President Kennedy was shot dead in Dallas on 22 November, 1963.
The suspected assassin was himself shot two days later and so was never brought to trial.
There have been numerous conspiracy theories ever since about who really shot JFK and why Lee Harvey Oswald was killed.
The exhumation of his body in 1981 was designed to lay to rest one of these theories - namely, that the man who was buried was a Soviet agent who had taken Oswald's identity to carry out the killing.
The auction in Los Angeles also includes instruments that were used to embalm Oswald, his death certificate, an Easter card he sent to his brother, and a section of the car seat on which President Kennedy was sitting when he was shot.

Sudan male models fined for make-up 'indecency'

Seven Sudanese male models have been fined for wearing make-up by judges in northern Sudan, under controversial indecency laws.

The models and the woman who applied the make-up had been taking part in a show called Sudanese Next Top Model.
Their lawyer had argued that men frequently have to wear make-up to appear on television.
But the judges in Khartoum, where Islamic law applies, decided it was indecent for men to wear make-up.
The eight defendants were each ordered to pay 200 Sudanese pounds (£50; $80).
Under northern Sudan's indecency laws, they could have faced a jail term or been flogged.
The legislation was widely criticised last year when a female journalist was jailed for wearing trousers. She was later freed after a public outcry.
The models were among dozens of people arrested while they were leaving the fashion show in Khartoum in June.
Defence lawyer Adam Bakr Hassab said he disagreed with the judge's decision.
"The judge said that what happened is against the law and the traditions of the Sudanese people, so he made the punishment a fine," he told AFP news agency.
"It is not correct. But now it is a reality, it became a decision. There is no way to avoid this punishment. We will pay the fine and do our appeal later."

Arsenal 3 - 1 Partizan Belgrade

Nasri (left) and Walcott produced the goals to ease Arsenal nerves

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at The Emirates

Arsenal survived a minor scare to reach the last 16 of the Champions League for the 11th successive season with victory against Partizan Belgrade at The Emirates.
Arsene Wenger knew that three points would assure them of qualification for the knockout phase and they ultimately ran out comfortable winners, although for a spell in the second half against the Serbians, there was the fear that Arsenal's proud record might end.
Arsenal's win was not enough to give them top spot in Group H, and they now face the prospect of running into the real elite of European football when the draw is made on 17 December.
Robin van Persie, Arsenal captain on his first Champions League appearance of the season, put them ahead on the half-hour from the spot after he was fouled by Marko Jovanovic.
Partizan's only moment of serious danger brought an equaliser just after half-time when Cleo's shot took a wicked deflection off Sebastien Squillaci and out of Lukasz Fabianski's reach - leaving Arsenal's fans, albeit briefly, anxiously following events in the game between Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga.

But Theo Walcott's introduction as substitute injected some firepower into Arsenal and some life into subdued supporters inside The Emirates as he made a decisive contribution.
He restored Arsenal's lead with a fine volley after 73 minutes, and another moment of class from Samir Nasri wrapped things up as he scored with a fine low finish four minutes later.
Arsenal suffered a blow with an early injury to defender Kieran Gibbs, while Bacary Sagna was shown a red card in the closing stages for a foul on Aleksandar Lazevski.
Wenger will be delighted with Arsenal's win, but he will know they will need to produce better in the knockout stage - a task that will be made much easier by the return of injured captain Cesc Fabregas.
Before the game Arsenal knew that victory would ensure their passage to the knockout phase - but they made a lacklustre start despite dominating possession and territory.
Wenger was also forced into a change after only 24 minutes when the desperately unlucky Gibbs suffered misfortune again. He was stretchered off after slipping as he made a tackle, and despite trying to carry on he was eventually replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

Van Persie won the penalty he converted to put Arsenal ahead

Partizan were surviving in relative comfort, but gifted Arsenal the lead on the half-hour when Jovanovic needlessly bundled Van Persie to the ground in the area - leaving the striker to score the resulting spot-kick with ease.
Arsenal keeper Fabianski had been a virtual spectator, but he was powerless to stop Partizan scoring a shock equaliser seven minutes after the break when Cleo broke through and scored via a big deflection off Squillaci.
Wenger needed to inject urgency into Arsenal as they flirted with an early Champions League exit, and his answer was to send on Walcott, a move that brought the required result.
He put Arsenal back in front and eased growing concern inside The Emirates with an instinctive right-foot volley that flashed across Partizan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic into the far corner.

606: DEBATE Squillaci and Koscielny do not fill me with a lot of confidence titiandtheo

And Nasri ended any lingering doubts about Arsenal's qualification for the last 16 with a low finish past Stojkovic after persistent approach play by Alex Song.
The night ended on a low when Sagna received his red card, but Wenger will insist this was simply a case of Arsenal getting the job done - which they eventually did.