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London:
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was Thursday set free after nine
days in a London prison, but faces a fresh legal battle over his
extradition to Sweden on sex allegations.
The High Court in London Thursday
granted Assange bail, dismissing an appeal against attempts by the
prosecuting authorities to stop him being freed.
The appeal was based on the contention that Assange was a "flight
risk" due to his "lifestyle connections". There was confusion
Thursday as to which prosecuting authority brought the appeal.
The Swedish authorities denied any involvement in the process,
while Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it acted as
an "agent of the Swedish government".
"Who exactly brought this appeal remains opaque," said Assange's
lawyer, Mark Stephens. However, he described the move as a
"continued vendetta on the part of the Swedish authorities against
Julian Assange".
The 39-year-old Australian will remain in Britain under strict
bail conditions. The extradition case against him is due to begin
early next year.
"We are utterly delighted and thrilled, sharing the joy of Julian
and his family," said Stephens on the steps of the High Court.
Assange's mother, Christine, who travelled from Australia for the
court hearing, said she was "very, very happy" with the decision.
"I can't wait to see my son and hold him close," she said. Asked
what would be the first thing she would do, she replied: "Hug
him."
Supporters were jubilant as news of the bail decision spread.
While in Britain, Assange will live on a country estate in
Suffolk, southeast England, owned by a friend and supporter.
The bail of 200,000 pounds ($312,000), which had to be provided in
cash, was put up by prominent human right campaigners, authors and
film directors, including US documentary maker Michael Moore and
British director Ken Loach.
Two sureties of 20,000 pounds each have also been requested.
The bail ruling is subject to stringent conditions. Assange will
have to surrender his passport and observe a daily curfew which
will be monitored by an electronic tag.
Assange was detained in London after turning himself in at a
police station Dec 7, on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant (EWA)
issued by Sweden.
He is wanted in Sweden on allegations of sex offences against two
women, which he denies, saying that the claims arise from a
dispute over "consensual, but unprotected, sex".
His supporters maintain that the allegations - denied by Assange -
are "politically motivated" and aimed at targeting WikiLeaks for
its online publications of secret US government documents.
Legal observers said, however, that fighting extradition to Sweden
under a European warrant would be difficult. Assange and his
lawyers would have to supply witnesses and documentary evidence to
prove their contention that the Swedish request is "politically
motivated".
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that federal prosecutors in
the US are seeking to build a case against Assange on possible
espionage charges for his role in obtaining and distributing
classified information.
WikiLeaks last month launched the publication of more than 250,000
top secret cables from the US state department.
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