Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against 30 officials of the Nobel Foundation. He accuses them of misappropriation and facilitating war crimes, claiming that the awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado transforms the prize into what he describes as 'an instrument of war.' Assange argues that this decision violates the stipulations of Alfred Nobel's will, which mandates that the prize should be used to promote peace, reduce military forces, and foster international fraternity.

In his complaint, Assange requests that Swedish authorities freeze the 11 million SEK (approximately 1.18 million USD) prize money before it is transferred to Machado. He contends that the Nobel administrators have breached their fiduciary duty by approving a payout to someone who has publicly advocated for foreign military intervention. Assange cites Machado's support for U.S. military actions in Venezuela, which he claims could result in civilian casualties, as evidence of her unsuitability for the award.

The complaint also references widespread criticism from various peace organizations, Nobel laureates, and research institutions regarding Machado's selection. Assange emphasizes that the funds associated with the Nobel Peace Prize should not be allocated to promote military actions. He is seeking a comprehensive investigation, including the seizure of documents and interrogation of Foundation leaders, and has suggested that the matter may warrant referral to the International Criminal Court.

This legal action occurs against the backdrop of significant military activity in the Caribbean, described by analysts as the largest U.S. military buildup in the region since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Assange asserts that Machado has incited the U.S. government to escalate military involvement in Venezuela, further complicating the humanitarian implications of her receiving the Peace Prize.