WikiLeaker: rebel hero or sex offender?

(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Julian Assange, the man behind internet leaks of top secret government information, was arrested today. But not for his controversial WikiLeaks website. He's been accused of assaulting two women, fielding allegations of rape and molestation. One woman claims Assange held her down in "a sexual manner". Another alleges he had unprotected sex with her while she slept. The details are still emerging, and if they're true they could take down a man who has evaded the world's most powerful leaders.

But there's also just that fact to consider. Assange's leaks about U.S. military and political procedures have made top officials blow their tops. Today the Pentagon released a statement blaming WikiLeaks for putting national security and the peace-keeping process in jeopardy. While the reports of his alleged sex crimes surfaced before the leaks hit the internet, he was already on the shortlist of international agitators. That's made many supporters very suspicious of the charges brought against Assange. Is this just a way to shut down a potential threat to the government or to send a message to copycats: don't mess with the top secret information? If this were a Hollywood movie the answer would be, undoubtedly, yes.

But in reality, sexual assault is a horrific crime and until the allegations are proven false, even some supporters are hesitant to back him up. Assange was already a complicated figure before his arrest--tagged both a terrorist and a free speech activist. Accusations of sex crimes have made his public image even more fractured. How do you see the WikiLeaks founder--a pawn or a pervert?

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