WikiLeaks Founder Assange Lodges New Challenge To Extradition
By RFE RL
(RFE/RL) — Britain’s judiciary says WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has filed an application to have his extradition appeal heard by that country’s Supreme Court.
Two British judges on November 2 rejected Assange’s challenge to an order that he be extradited to Sweden, where he is sought in connection with accusations of rape and sexual assalt made by two former female volunteers for his WikiLeaks organization.
Assange denies the accusations and says he is being targeted for publishing thousands of secret U.S. diplomatic cables on WikiLeaks.
Assange will ask High Court judges at a December 5 hearing to rule that his case raises a question of general public importance and should be considered by the Supreme Court.
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.
Assange was arrested in London in December 2010 on a European arrest warrant issued by Sweden. He has been living under strict bail conditions in Britain since his arrest.
