Bailed, but Assange still in jail
Source: Agencies |
December 15, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted bail by a British judge yesterday, but he remained in custody pending a possible appeal.
Swedish authorities were given two hours to lodge an appeal and their lawyer, Gemma Lindfield, said it was likely she would. An appeal would have to be heard by Britain's High Court within 48 hours.
The 39-year-old Australian has been held in a London prison for a week since surrendering to Scotland Yard due to a Swedish arrest warrant in a sex-crimes investigation. He denies wrongdoing and his lawyer says he plans to fight extradition.
At yesterday's hearing, District Judge Howard Riddle said Assange would have to abide by strict bail conditions. He would have to wear an electronic tag, live at a registered address, report to police every evening and observe two four-hour curfews each day.
A total of 240,000 pounds (US$380,000) was put up as a guarantee by supporters. Assange's next court date was set for January 11.
Supporters outside the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court cheered when they heard the news of the judge's ruling.
Assange's mother, Christine, watched the hearing nervously from the public gallery, but gave a huge smile when the judge announced his decision.
"I just want to thank everyone who's turned up to show their support and who's taken an interest," she said.
Lindfield, for the Swedish authorities, had asked the court to deny bail because the allegations in Sweden were serious, Assange had only weak ties to Britain and he had enough money "to abscond."
Many Assange supporters suspect the extradition request has been motivated by WikiLeaks' decision last month to begin publishing a trove of 250,000 secret United States diplomatic cables.
Swedish authorities were given two hours to lodge an appeal and their lawyer, Gemma Lindfield, said it was likely she would. An appeal would have to be heard by Britain's High Court within 48 hours.
The 39-year-old Australian has been held in a London prison for a week since surrendering to Scotland Yard due to a Swedish arrest warrant in a sex-crimes investigation. He denies wrongdoing and his lawyer says he plans to fight extradition.
At yesterday's hearing, District Judge Howard Riddle said Assange would have to abide by strict bail conditions. He would have to wear an electronic tag, live at a registered address, report to police every evening and observe two four-hour curfews each day.
A total of 240,000 pounds (US$380,000) was put up as a guarantee by supporters. Assange's next court date was set for January 11.
Supporters outside the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court cheered when they heard the news of the judge's ruling.
Assange's mother, Christine, watched the hearing nervously from the public gallery, but gave a huge smile when the judge announced his decision.
"I just want to thank everyone who's turned up to show their support and who's taken an interest," she said.
Lindfield, for the Swedish authorities, had asked the court to deny bail because the allegations in Sweden were serious, Assange had only weak ties to Britain and he had enough money "to abscond."
Many Assange supporters suspect the extradition request has been motivated by WikiLeaks' decision last month to begin publishing a trove of 250,000 secret United States diplomatic cables.
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