Julian Assange Update: British Judge Grants Bail to WikiLeaks Founder
LONDON (CBS/AP) Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been granted bail in London while awaiting further hearings regarding his possible extradition to Sweden to face sexual assault charges.
But a lawyer representing Swedish prosecutors tells the British daily Guardian they plan on appealing Asssange's bail. Assange will not be free from jail until that appeals process concludes, which may be sometime later today.
The judge at a London court said Tuesday that Assange must abide by strict bail conditions as he fights the extradition, the Associated Press reports.
Assange's bail conditions include surrendering his passport; posting a nearly $500,000 bond; a curfew from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.; wearing an electronic tag; and Assange must report to the police station every day at 6 p.m., the Guardian reports.
Assange's next court appearance will be Jan. 11, 2011.
Assange's lawyer, Geoffrey Robertson, said Vaughan Smith, a wealthy British journalist and owner of Frontline club, will be Assange's surety, according to the Guardian. Robertson joked in court that releasing Assange to Smith's care was like placing Assange under "Mansion Arrest."
The 39-year-old Australian has been held in a London prison for a week after surrendering to Scotland Yard police to answer a Swedish arrest warrant, the AP reports.
Assange is wanted for questioning after two women accused him of sexual misconduct in separate encounters in Sweden over the summer. Lawyers for Assange say he denies the allegations and will contest Sweden's attempt to extradite him for questioning, the AP reports.