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Assange extradition case is heard by Supreme Court Assange extradition case is heard by Supreme Court
(about 1 hour later)
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has started his latest legal action to try to block his extradition to Sweden at the Supreme Court in London.Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has started his latest legal action to try to block his extradition to Sweden at the Supreme Court in London.
The appeal is based on whether the Swedish prosecutor who issued the European Arrest Warrant against him had the judicial authority to do so.The appeal is based on whether the Swedish prosecutor who issued the European Arrest Warrant against him had the judicial authority to do so.
Mr Assange is wanted by the Swedish authorities for questioning over alleged sex offences, which he denies.Mr Assange is wanted by the Swedish authorities for questioning over alleged sex offences, which he denies.
Judgement is expected to be reserved to a later date.Judgement is expected to be reserved to a later date.
The key legal question for the seven judges is whether the prosecutor who issued the arrest warrant had the judicial authority to do so under provisions of the 2003 Extradition Act.The key legal question for the seven judges is whether the prosecutor who issued the arrest warrant had the judicial authority to do so under provisions of the 2003 Extradition Act.
Politically motivated
Mr Assange's lawyer, Dinah Rose QC, said it was "a matter of fundamental legal principle" that the person issuing such a warrant was both independent and impartial.Mr Assange's lawyer, Dinah Rose QC, said it was "a matter of fundamental legal principle" that the person issuing such a warrant was both independent and impartial.
But she said the Swedish prosecutor was a party in the Assange case and therefore was not either of these things.But she said the Swedish prosecutor was a party in the Assange case and therefore was not either of these things.
'Draconian instrument'
Ms Rose submitted: "Since the Swedish prosecutor cannot fulfil those conditions, she is not a judicial authority and not capable of issuing a warrant for the purposes of he 2003 Act."Ms Rose submitted: "Since the Swedish prosecutor cannot fulfil those conditions, she is not a judicial authority and not capable of issuing a warrant for the purposes of he 2003 Act."
The arrest warrant itself was therefore invalid, she said.The arrest warrant itself was therefore invalid, she said.
Parliament believed the European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) would only be issued by judges, as stated in Part 3 of the 2003 Act, Ms Rose added.
But she said the UK had received EAWs from bodies that were clearly not "judicial".
The High Court, which previously approved his extradition, had recognised that the status of the public prosecutor was debatable.
But Ms Rose said it had "nonetheless concluded that the Swedish prosecutor was a 'judicial' authority within the meaning of Part 1 of the 2003 Act" and was "wrong to reach that conclusion".
Ms Rose said Swedish prosecutors could investigate without Mr Assange being extradited using telephone, by video-link or in person at an embassy.
She said: "The EAW is a draconian instrument which affects individual liberty, freedom of movement and private life: it should only be resorted to if other, less invasive, measures for achieving the general interest have failed or are unavailable."
Dozens of supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court to greet Mr Assange as he arrived for the hearing.Dozens of supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court to greet Mr Assange as he arrived for the hearing.
The 40-year-old Australian, who remains on conditional bail in the UK, claims the allegations against him are politically motivated.The 40-year-old Australian, who remains on conditional bail in the UK, claims the allegations against him are politically motivated.
He is accused of raping one woman and "sexually molesting and coercing" another in Stockholm in August 2010.He is accused of raping one woman and "sexually molesting and coercing" another in Stockholm in August 2010.
Mr Assange's Wikileaks website published a mass of material from leaked diplomatic cables embarrassing several governments.Mr Assange's Wikileaks website published a mass of material from leaked diplomatic cables embarrassing several governments.
The High Court previously approved his extradition, a decision that Mr Assange argues was unlawful.
In December, two High Court judges, Sir John Thomas and Mr Justice Ouseley, decided that Mr Assange had raised a question on extradition law "of general public importance" and allowed him to ask the Supreme Court for a final UK ruling.In December, two High Court judges, Sir John Thomas and Mr Justice Ouseley, decided that Mr Assange had raised a question on extradition law "of general public importance" and allowed him to ask the Supreme Court for a final UK ruling.
Later that month, a Supreme Court spokesman said its justices had agreed to hear the case "given the great public importance of the issue raised, which is whether a prosecutor is a judicial authority".Later that month, a Supreme Court spokesman said its justices had agreed to hear the case "given the great public importance of the issue raised, which is whether a prosecutor is a judicial authority".