After surrendering to UK police on Tuesday, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was denied bail after being deemed a flight risk by a British court. Swedish officials are asking for his extradition to face rape and molestation charges, however Assange has refused.
With that refusal, a lengthy legal process that could take weeks or months to resolve begins. While this is being decided, the courts have taken Assange into custody until December 14.
Rape charges were filed but quickly dropped back in August, although the two accusers -- who worked as volunteers for Wikileaks -- appealed that decision. The incidents were said to have happened while he was in Sweden giving presentations on Wikileaks' work to disclose US military documents on the war.
According to Swedish authorities, Assange is accused of one count of unlawful coercion, two counts of sexual molestation and one count of rape.
The British courts must now decide if the extradition will violate Assange's rights. If it does not, a judge would order his extradition to Sweden. Assange would have the opportunity to appeal the judge's decision however, which could prolong the process.
His lawyers in Sweden claim that foreign powers are influencing the decision to prosecute, and that Wikileaks' work in exposing secret documents are playing a part. Swedish prosecutors deny this is the case.
"I want to make it clear that I have not been put under any kind of pressure, political or otherwise," direct of prosecution Marianne Ny said in a statement. "Swedish prosecutors are completely independent in their decision-making."
She is also reported to have said by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that she has received no contact from any other government regarding extraditing Assange to face any other charges.
Copyright Betanews, Inc. 2010
