Wikileaks founder faces extradition to Sweden

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault

The founder of the website WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, will be extradited to Sweden in relation to four allegations of rape and sexual assault by two women.

Mr Assange has always vehemently denied the accusations and has been fighting the extradition since he was arrested back in December.

The most serious of Assange's allegations relates to an accusation that, during a visit to Stockholm in August of last year, he had unprotected sex with a woman, Miss B, without her consent and while she was sleeping.

Three counts of sexual assault are also alleged against another woman, Miss A. If Mr Assange is found guilty of rape he could face up to fouryears in prison.

Howard Riddle, the chief magistrate of Belmarsh Court in London, ruled that Assange did not make himself available for interview in Sweden and should be extradited in order to face a Swedish trial.

Riddle has already remarked on 'the possibility, perhaps the inevitability' of an appeal which would delay a final decision on the Australian's fate until the Summer.

Mr Assange has seven days to appeal against the ruling before being extradited to Sweden in 10 days time.

The Wikileaks founder fears that if sent to Sweden it would make an onward extradition to the United States on charges related to leaked US embassy documents more likely.

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