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Wikileaks founder Julian Assange awaits bail hearing | Wikileaks founder Julian Assange awaits bail hearing |
(40 minutes later) | |
Julian Assange's lawyer says he is confident of obtaining bail for the 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 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. |
Some reports suggested it was Swedish prosecutors who objected to the granting of bail but Sweden's Director of Prosecution, Marianne Ny, said: "The decision was appealed by the British prosecutor. Sweden has no opinion on this and will not intervene with a case handled by the British authorities." | |
His lawyer Mark Stephens said: "We are hopeful, but of course it is a matter entirely for the judge. | |
"He will hear everything afresh and it is a matter for his decision and his decision alone." | |
He confirmed the bail money - needed in cash - was likely to be ready in time for the 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. | 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. |
Mr Assange's mother, Christine, visited him in jail on Wednesday and she described his demeanour: "Quiet anger, was actually the term that he used... He's not a loud aggressive person but I can see simmering, the injustice of it all." | |
She said her son found being kept isolated difficult even though he recognised it was for his own safety. | |
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 the allegations against him are politically-motivated and 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. |