If it was just for the alleged rape in Sweden then it wouldn't make any sense to hide in the embassy for almost 4 years now, since it is very likely that he wou

If it was just for the alleged rape in Sweden then it wouldn't make any sense to hide in the embassy for almost 4 years now, since it is very likely that he would have spent less time in prison in Sweden for this crime. It's the Supermax prison treatment including solitary confinement for life that he fears in the US. You just have to look at how they treated Manning. In face of that risk it certainly would feel like detention to me. Imagine someone would threaten to lock you up for life in solitary confinement and possibly even torture you on top of that if you ever left the room you are sitting in right now. Wouldn't that feel like detention? Yes, because it is. That threat alone significantly restricts your freedom.