Intelligence

London Court Defers Assange Extradition Ruling

July 13, 2011

British judges have deferred a decision on an appeal by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange against his extradition to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault.

The High Court in London heard two days of arguments from defense lawyers and from Swedish prosecutors as Assange sought to overturn a ruling in February that approved his extradition.

Judge John Thomas said a ruling would be handed down in writing, but he did not say when it would be given.

Assange was arrested by British police in December after Sweden requested his arrest for questioning over allegations of sexual assault and rape against two women.

Assange says the charges against him are politically motivated.

The allegations came as WikiLeaks was releasing a huge cache of leaked U.S. diplomatic cables.

He has been living under strict bail conditions at a friend's mansion in eastern England.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/wikileaks_assange_extradition_ruling_deferred/24264918.html

Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.