Assange released on bail

PanARMENIAN.Net - The 39-year-old Australian, Julian Assange is accused of sexually assaulting one woman and raping another during a week-long visit to Stockholm in August.

But he denies any wrongdoing and his barrister, Geoffrey Robertson QC, said his client would appeal at the High Court against the extradition ruling.

Announcing his decision at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court in south-east London, District Judge Howard Riddle said extraditing Assange to Sweden would not breach his human rights.

He also disagreed with defense lawyers' claims that what Assange is accused of doing would not actually amount to rape in this country. And he dismissed the argument that the whistleblower would not receive a fair trial, despite a certain amount of negative publicity surrounding the case.

Assange was later given bail on the same conditions as before. Lady Caroline Evans and Professor Patricia David told the court they were prepared to stand £20,000 surety for him thisislondon.co.uk reported.

Others who have offered financial guarantees against him skipping bail include Frontline Club founder Vaughan Smith at whose country house he has been staying, according to dailymail.co.uk.