WikiLeaks Founder Files Criminal Complaint Over Nobel Peace Prize Recipient
Julian Assange argues the Nobel FoundationS award to Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado was a misallocation of funds that could enable war crimes.
In a move that injects controversy into a high-profile award process, Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, has lodged a criminal complaint in Sweden targeting the Nobel Foundation. The filing challenges the organization’s decision to award its Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado.
Assange contends that this year’s prize decision amounts to a “gross misappropriation” of prize funds adn could facilitate war crimes under Swedish law. He is seeking to block a transfer of 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1.18 million) currently earmarked for Machado.
The Nobel Committee’s choice recognized Machado for advancing democratic rights and supporting a peaceful transition away from dictatorship. Assange’s complaint, submitted this week, names roughly 30 individuals connected with the Nobel Foundation and accuses them of misappropriation, enabling war crimes, and financing crimes of aggression.
According to Assange,awarding Machado’s prize converts “an instrument of peace” into an instrument of war. He argues the Venezuelan leader has supported actions by the United States aimed at pressuring President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power, thereby inviting accusations of international crimes.
A contentious selection
Machado’s win sparked debate over her political positions, including vocal backing for Israel amid Gaza operations.Reports mention a post-award phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after the prize declaration.Machado has pledged to relocate Venezuela’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem should she assume office.
Her alignment with U.S. policy toward Maduro has also drawn scrutiny, with some Trump administration officials portraying Maduro as linked to criminal networks. This stance feeds into broader tensions over whether political support should factor into a prize meant to honor “the greatest benefit to humankind.”
Observers note that U.S. officials have signaled potential military action against Venezuela as Washington expands its naval and air presence in the region. Since September, reports counted more than 20 strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific approaches, with fatalities reported. A sizable deployment of forces has raised questions about the possibility of a broader intervention in the country.
Assange argued that Machado’s support for aggressive foreign-policy measures disqualifies her under the will’s criteria, which call for recognition of “the greatest benefit to humankind” through peaceful means. He asserted that the funds associated with the prize should remain dedicated to humanitarian ends.
Swedish police confirmed receipt of the complaint, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a Norwegian committee in Oslo. Assange’s broader claim is that the Stockholm-based Nobel Foundation bears financial obligation for any misuses of prize funds intended for charitable purposes.
Background on Assange: the founder of WikiLeaks rose to prominence in 2010 after publishing a trove of disclosures from U.S. Army intelligence analyst chelsea Manning. He sought asylum at Ecuador’s London embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden; he later faced extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom. After a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors, he was released in 2024 and returned to Australia.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Claimant | Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder |
| Target | Nobel Foundation; Peace Prize decision |
| Prize recipient | Maria Corina Machado |
| Prize affected | Peace Prize (2025) |
| Requested action | Freeze 11 million SEK; criminal complaint filed |
| Grounds | Misappropriation; potential war crimes; crimes against humanity; financing aggression |
| Status | Complaint filed; police acknowledged receipt |
| Background on Machado | Advocate for democracy; controversial on Israel; supports relocating Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem; allied with some U.S. hawks |
| Assange background | wikileaks founder; Manning leaks; asylum and detention history; plea deal; released 2024 |
What do you think should be the guiding principles for recognizing peace through awards? Should political positions influence eligibility for the Nobel Peace Prize? Share your views in the comments below.
Do you believe the Nobel process can remain neutral while navigating complex geopolitical stances? How should prize committees balance public accountability with the need for international diplomacy? Your thoughts help shape the conversation.
For ongoing updates on this developing story, follow our coverage and join the discussion by sharing this article with your network.
Disclaimer: This report covers allegations and official responses. legal conclusions remain matters for authorities and courts to determine.
