Assange moves SC to stop extradition

Updated on: 17 November,2011 08:31 AM IST |
Agencies |

WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange filed an application yesterday to have Britain's Supreme Court hear his appeal against extradition to Sweden, his latest legal manoeuvre to keep from returning to face allegations of sexual misconduct.

WikiLeaks immediately tweeted that the Supreme Court application would be heard on December 5 by the High Court in London and a decision was expected the same day.

Never giving up: If Julian Assange's case is heard in the Supreme
Court, he could enjoy living in England till the next year. File pic

If Assange loses, he could be extradited to Sweden within 10 days. But if he wins, it could take months for the nation's highest court to consider his case.

Under English law, the Supreme Court will only consider his appeal if his lawyers can convince the High Court judges that the case is of special public interest.

The 40-year-old Australian, who denies any wrongdoing, was arrested in Britain last December on a European warrant over allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two women over a five-day period in Stockholm last August.

A lower court initially approved his extradition in February, but Assange appealed that ruling to the High Court, which rejected his challenge on November 2 and set up his application to have the Supreme Court hear his case. He is free on bail and has been living at the home of a friend in Norfolk in the east of England.