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Julian Assange To Walk Free After Bail Upheld
By: sky.comPosted On: 12/16/2010 11:54 A
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The decision to release Julian Assange on bail has been upheld at the High Court and his laywer says the WikiLeaks founder is expected to walk free today.
The decision to release Julian Assange on bail has been upheld at the High Court and his laywer says the WikiLeaks founder is expected to walk free today.
He was granted bail on Tuesday by Westminster Magistrates Court, but an appeal was lodged against the decision.
The Australian is wanted for questioning over alleged sex offences committed in Stockholm while he was visiting the city in August.
Judge Mr Justice Ouseley rejected arguments that Assange was a flight risk and renewed bail, pending moves to extradite him to Sweden.
The country's director of prosecutions said the British decision "does not change the state of the case itself".
Assange's lawyer told reporters his team were "utterly delighted" at the result, adding that his client was the victim of a "continued vendetta".
Mark Stephens also said the £240,000 ($316,000) bail amount set by the magistrates court had been raised.
"We are going through the formalities, preparing sureties to go to police stations, arranging for the transfer of funds to the magistrates court, so that the security's there," he said.
"I'm pleased to report all the money came through. All his supporters kept their promises, the honourable people that they are.
"There are so many twists and turns in this case, it is impossible to say that this is the end of the line."
It is understood the Australian may have to wear an electronic tag as part of his bail conditions and report to police daily.
He will be staying at the Suffolk manor home of Vaughan Smith, who owns London's Frontline Club.
Assange's mother Christine told reporters she was "very, very happy" at the judge's decision.
"I can't wait to see my son and to hold him close," she said.
"I had faith in the British justice system to do the right thing, and that faith has been confirmed."
Swedish officials had told the court they feared Assange would abscond if he was granted bail because he has no ties in the UK.
They said the WikiLeaks founder has lived a "nomadic lifestyle" and those offering to provide sureties had not known him long.
Assange's lawyers argued the Australian has no access to funds and the suggestion that his supporters would assist him in fleeing was "purely hypothetical".
While the judge remarked the motivation to support could turn into a motivation to assist, he rejected the Swedish submission.
Meanwhile, a pro-WikiLeaks hacker has told Sky News an internet insurgent group will keep attacking those companies who target the whistleblowing website.
Assange's arrest followed the release by his website of thousands of private US diplomatic cables.
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