Julian Assange Files Criminal Complaint Against Nobel Foundation Over Venezuelan Opposition Leader's Peace Prize

 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has filed a criminal complaint against the Nobel Foundation in Sweden, opposing the awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Published by WikiLeaks on December 17,

this complaint alleges that the awarding of the prize violates the fundamental objectives outlined in Alfred Nobel's last will and testament. Assange specifically argues that by awarding the prize to someone like Machado, who supports US military actions and President Trump's sanctions, instead of promoting fraternity among nations, holding peace congresses, and reducing standing armies, the Nobel Prize has been turned into a "tool of war."

Through this legal action, charges of breach of trust, misuse of funds, and facilitating war crimes under Swedish law have been leveled against Nobel Foundation officials. Assange requests that the prize money, exceeding 11 million Swedish Kronor (approximately 1.18 million US dollars), be suspended or prohibited. Assange argues that even though the selection was made by the Norwegian Committee, Swedish administrators are not exempt from their financial responsibilities, and paying money to an unsuitable individual could constitute a criminal offense. He also recalls the precedent from 2018, when the payment of the Nobel Prize in Literature was suspended amidst a crisis, emphasizing that the Foundation has the legal capacity to intervene.

Citing Article 25(3)(c) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Assange states that providing funds to Machado, while being aware of her support for military actions against Venezuela, constitutes aiding and abetting aggression and crimes against humanity. Accordingly, he urges Swedish authorities to question high-ranking officials such as Foundation Chairman Astrid Söderbergh Widding and Executive Hanna Stjärne, and to seize board reports and email communications. The complaint further states that these officials risk investigation for misuse of funds under the Swedish Penal Code, and that these payments could be blocked through court orders due to actions contrary to Alfred Nobel's last will and testament.