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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Wikileaks founder Julian Assange awaits bail hearing | Wikileaks founder Julian Assange awaits bail hearing |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Swedish legal officers will be at the High Court on Thursday to try to block bail for Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks. | Swedish legal officers will be at the High Court on Thursday to try to block bail for Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks. |
| The 39-year-old Australian was granted bail earlier this week on condition he provides guarantees of £240,000. | The 39-year-old Australian was granted bail earlier this week on condition he provides guarantees of £240,000. |
| But he has remained in Wandsworth Prison after Swedish prosecutors appealed against giving him bail. | But he has remained in Wandsworth Prison after Swedish prosecutors appealed against giving him bail. |
| Mr Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden where he faces sex allegations involving two women, which he denies. | Mr Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden where he faces sex allegations involving two women, which he denies. |
| His lawyer Mark Stephens said on Thursday morning that the bail money - needed in cash - was likely to be ready in time for the morning hearing. | His lawyer Mark Stephens said on Thursday morning that the bail money - needed in cash - was likely to be ready in time for the morning hearing. |
| "Julian's supporters have come through for him so we look like we're on target, but we can't give certainty until the banks have opened," he told the BBC. | "Julian's supporters have come through for him so we look like we're on target, but we can't give certainty until the banks have opened," he told the BBC. |
| Curfew condition | Curfew condition |
| He was granted bail by District Judge Howard Riddle at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, pending extradition proceedings due to start on 11 January. | |
| As well as raising the bail money, he was also told to live under curfew at the home of journalist Vaughan Smith, founder of the campaigning Frontline Club. | As well as raising the bail money, he was also told to live under curfew at the home of journalist Vaughan Smith, founder of the campaigning Frontline Club. |
| However, the Swedish Judicial Authority has appealed against the bail decision. | However, the Swedish Judicial Authority has appealed against the bail decision. |
| The Guardian newspaper, which has been publishing material leaked by Mr Assange, is reporting that Swedish prosecutors claim they have "not got a view at all on bail" and it was the UK that made the decision to oppose it. | The Guardian newspaper, which has been publishing material leaked by Mr Assange, is reporting that Swedish prosecutors claim they have "not got a view at all on bail" and it was the UK that made the decision to oppose it. |
| Asked about those reports on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer refused to comment specifically. | Asked about those reports on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer refused to comment specifically. |
| But he said: "The general position and the nature of the arrangement is absolutely clear. | But he said: "The general position and the nature of the arrangement is absolutely clear. |
| "The Crown Prosecution Service acts here as agents of the government seeking extradition, in this case the Swedish government. | "The Crown Prosecution Service acts here as agents of the government seeking extradition, in this case the Swedish government. |
| "These proceedings are brought as agents of the Swedish government." | "These proceedings are brought as agents of the Swedish government." |
| The appeal is expected to be heard in Court 4 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Mr Justice Ouseley. | The appeal is expected to be heard in Court 4 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Mr Justice Ouseley. |
| He is the judge who last week upheld bail for Shrien Dewani, whose wife was murdered on their honeymoon, following an appeal by South African authorities. | He is the judge who last week upheld bail for Shrien Dewani, whose wife was murdered on their honeymoon, following an appeal by South African authorities. |
| 'Politically motivated' | 'Politically motivated' |
| Mr Assange has received the backing of a number of high-profile supporters including human rights campaigners Jemima Khan and Bianca Jagger, and film director Ken Loach. | Mr Assange has received the backing of a number of high-profile supporters including human rights campaigners Jemima Khan and Bianca Jagger, and film director Ken Loach. |
| His website has published 250,000 sensitive American diplomatic cables, details of which have appeared in the Guardian in the UK and several other newspapers around the world. | His website has published 250,000 sensitive American diplomatic cables, details of which have appeared in the Guardian in the UK and several other newspapers around the world. |
| He has come under criticism in the US where former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has said he should be hunted down like the al-Qaeda leadership. | He has come under criticism in the US where former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has said he should be hunted down like the al-Qaeda leadership. |
| Mr Assange argues that the allegations against him are politically motivated and are designed to take attention away from the material appearing on Wikileaks. | Mr Assange argues that the allegations against him are politically motivated and are designed to take attention away from the material appearing on Wikileaks. |
| He is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman, identified only as Miss A, when she insisted he use a condom. | He is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman, identified only as Miss A, when she insisted he use a condom. |
| He is also accused of having unprotected sex with another woman, Miss W, while she was asleep. | He is also accused of having unprotected sex with another woman, Miss W, while she was asleep. |