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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. 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 Swedish prosecutors appealed against giving him bail. 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.
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. 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 conditionCurfew 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.
However, the Swedish Judicial Authority has appealed against the bail decision. 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."
The Guardian newspaper, which has been publishing material leaked by Mr Assange, href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/15/julian-assange-bail-decision-uk" >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. She said her son found being kept isolated difficult even though he recognised it was for his own safety.
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.
"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."
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 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.