Sweden drops WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange rape investigation

Sweden is set to drop investigation into WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on rape allegations, CNN quoted a prosecution statement released on Friday.

The statement, however, noted that Assange was "wanted for a much less serious offence" than before and said the force would "provide a level of resourcing which is proportionate to that offence."

"The priority for the MPS must continue to be arresting those who are currently wanted in the Capital in connection with serious violent or sexual offences for the protection of Londoners," it added.

Following this, Assange tweeted an image of himself smiling, but refrained from making any further comments.

The U.S. authorities, however, have prepared charges to seek his arrest, officials familiar with the matter told CNN last month.

Assange, who has always denied wrongdoing, in an apparent bid to avoid an arrest warrant, has been holed up at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012.

The U.S. Justice Department investigation of Assange and WikiLeaks dates back to at least 2010, when the site posted thousands of files stolen by the former U.S. Army intelligence analyst.