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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Supreme court dismisses Assange appeal bid | Supreme court dismisses Assange appeal bid |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Supreme Court has dismissed a bid by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to reopen his appeal against extradition to Sweden over alleged sex crimes. | The Supreme Court has dismissed a bid by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to reopen his appeal against extradition to Sweden over alleged sex crimes. |
| Seven judges of Britain's top court unanimously dismissed the move by Mr Assange as being "without merit". | Seven judges of Britain's top court unanimously dismissed the move by Mr Assange as being "without merit". |
| Two weeks ago the court rejected his argument that a European arrest warrant for extradition was invalid. | Two weeks ago the court rejected his argument that a European arrest warrant for extradition was invalid. |
| His lawyers had argued that the decision was based on a legal point that had not been argued in court. | His lawyers had argued that the decision was based on a legal point that had not been argued in court. |
| Swedish prosecutors want to question Mr Assange over allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two female former Wikileaks volunteers in mid-2010 but have not filed any charges. | Swedish prosecutors want to question Mr Assange over allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two female former Wikileaks volunteers in mid-2010 but have not filed any charges. |
| Mr Assange, whose WikiLeaks website has published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments and international businesses, claims the sex was consensual and that the allegations against him were politically motivated. | Mr Assange, whose WikiLeaks website has published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments and international businesses, claims the sex was consensual and that the allegations against him were politically motivated. |
| 'Last attempt' | 'Last attempt' |
| The court has given Assange a two-week grace period before extradition proceedings can start. | The court has given Assange a two-week grace period before extradition proceedings can start. |
| Once the fortnight is over, officials have 10 days to fly Mr Assange to Sweden. | Once the fortnight is over, officials have 10 days to fly Mr Assange to Sweden. |
| The BBC's legal correspondent Clive Coleman says this is "pretty much the last attempt" by Mr Assange to legally fight extradition. | The BBC's legal correspondent Clive Coleman says this is "pretty much the last attempt" by Mr Assange to legally fight extradition. |
| The anti-secrecy campaigner could still take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg and has until 28 June to make the move. | The anti-secrecy campaigner could still take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg and has until 28 June to make the move. |
| Our correspondent says there is the possibility of an appeal to the ECHR but legal experts say that it is "unlikely to block" Mr Assange's extradition. | |
| Fair Trials International chief executive Jago Russell said: "Today's decision takes Julian Assange one step closer to being extradited to Sweden. | Fair Trials International chief executive Jago Russell said: "Today's decision takes Julian Assange one step closer to being extradited to Sweden. |
| "Although Sweden is rightly proud of its justice system, its over-use of pre-trial detention means that, if extradited, he is likely to be imprisoned and placed under extremely restrictive conditions." | "Although Sweden is rightly proud of its justice system, its over-use of pre-trial detention means that, if extradited, he is likely to be imprisoned and placed under extremely restrictive conditions." |