WikiLeaks' Assange loses fight against extradition
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (centre) arrives at London's High Court on Nov. 2, 2011. AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Leon Neal
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should be extradited from Britain to Sweden to face questioning over alleged sex crimes, London's High Court ruled on Wednesday after rejecting his appeal against the move.
Swedish authorities want to quiz the 40-year-old — who angered the U.S. government by publishing thousands of secret diplomatic memos — over accusations of rape and sexual assault made by two former female volunteers for his organization.
The case has cast a shadow over Assange and his whistle-blowing website which published a cache of more than 250,000 secret U.S. diplomatic cables last year and caused a media sensation.
A British judge approved the Swedish request for the computer expert's extradition in February, but Assange appealed against that decision.
His lawyers have argued the Swedish demand is legally flawed and that the sex was consensual. Assange, who is free under strict bail conditions, has also accused the United States of putting pressure on Britain, Sweden and the media.
Assange, who was arrested almost 11 months ago, will have two weeks in which to lodge an appeal.
However, any appeal to Britain's highest judicial body, the Supreme Court, can be done only on a point of law considered to be of general public interest.
Swedish authorities want to quiz the 40-year-old — who angered the U.S. government by publishing thousands of secret diplomatic memos — over accusations of rape and sexual assault made by two former female volunteers for his organization.
The case has cast a shadow over Assange and his whistle-blowing website which published a cache of more than 250,000 secret U.S. diplomatic cables last year and caused a media sensation.
A British judge approved the Swedish request for the computer expert's extradition in February, but Assange appealed against that decision.
His lawyers have argued the Swedish demand is legally flawed and that the sex was consensual. Assange, who is free under strict bail conditions, has also accused the United States of putting pressure on Britain, Sweden and the media.
Assange, who was arrested almost 11 months ago, will have two weeks in which to lodge an appeal.
However, any appeal to Britain's highest judicial body, the Supreme Court, can be done only on a point of law considered to be of general public interest.
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