Wikileaks' Assange loses extradition appeal
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China.org.cn, November 2, 2011
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Julian Assange (R), founder of the website Wikileaks [File photo] |
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lost his appeal on Wednesday to block his extradition to Sweden to face questioning over rape and sexual assault allegations.
Two judges at the High Court in London said that a ruling in favor of extradition must be upheld.
Local media reported that the court ruled that issuing of the European warrant that led to Assange's arrest and all subsequent proceedings to achieve extradition were lawful and proportionate.
The two judges dismissed the argument that the warrant was invalid because it had been issued by a prosecutor and not a "judicial authority."
The judges held the action of the prosecutor was subject to the independent scrutiny of Swedish judges "which, as judges of another (EU) member state, we must respect."
The court also rejected Assange's assertion that the descriptions of the offenses were not a fair and accurate account of the conduct alleged against him.
According to British Crown Prosecution Service, if the High Court uphold the extradition decision, a further appeal can be made to Britain's Supreme Court, the country's highest judicial body. If at any stage in the process the extradition is confirmed and there is no outstanding appeal, then Assange must be extradited within two weeks.
The 40-year-old Australian computer scientist was accused of rape and sex offenses against two Swedish women in Stockholm last August.
Assange turned himself up to London police last December. The Swedish prosecution authority then applied to extradite Assange to Sweden for the case.
