Sweden on Tuesday announced it was dropping a rape investigation into WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

“Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Eva-Marie Persson has today decided to discontinue the investigation,” Swedish prosecutors said. “The reason for this decision is that the evidence has weakened considerably due to the long period of time that has elapsed since the events in question.”

Sweden ordered Assanges’ arrest on suspicion of rape and molestation in 2010, but he fled to the U.K. and took up residency in London’s Ecuadorian embassy, according to prosecutors.

Assange, who has always denied the allegations, spent seven years holed up in the embassy before he was dragged out in April. The investigation was later reopened.

He faces 18 counts in the United States including conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law. He could spend decades in prison if convicted.