Assange did not commit rape, says mother

Melbourne, Dec 10 (ANI): Julian Assange's mother has said that her son is not guilty of the rape charges against him and that "massive forces" are out to get him.

Assange has been denied bail in a London court after his arrest in Britain on a Swedish warrant accusing him of sex crimes.

"Julian, rape, straight out of my guts - no way. Julian would not rape," the Age quoted mother Christine Assange as saying.

"It's a worry, of course. I am no different from any other mother. Every time the news goes on I am glued to it," she told the Seven Network.

"These massive forces have decided they are going to stop him and they are not going to play by the rules."

Assange said she was angry with the Australian government for not backing her son.

"Hang on a minute, this is one of your citizens here. You shouldn't be leading the charge," she said.

"He is brave. A lot of people would not be able to withstand the pressure he is under."

On Friday, hundreds of people rallied in support of the charged man in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

"He is very heartened by the worldwide response from just ordinary people," she said.

But Assange warned, "Don't take your freedoms for granted or else you will lose them. They were hard fought for, people lost their lives over and over and over again, and if we don't protect them we will lose them and next time it could be your son or your daughter." (ANI)