Assange Loses Latest Extradition Battle

Julian Assange has lost his latest effort to avoid extradition to Sweden after the Supreme court dismissed his bid to reopen his appeal.

Assange’s lawyers had claimed that the decision to reject his last appeal was based on a legal point that had not been argued in court, after the same court rejected his argument that the European warrant for his extradition was invalid.

However seven judges of Britain’s top court unanimously dismissed the move, labelling it “without merit.”

Third time unlucky

Swedish prosecutors want to speak to the Wikileaks founder over allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two former Wikileaks volunteers in 2010, but no charges have been made.

Assange has maintained his innocence and claims the sex was consensual and that the allegations against him are politically motivated. WikLeaks has come under fire for posting a number of leaked documents which have embarrassed several governments.

He was first arrested on a visit to Britain in December 2010, and British courts have ruled three times that he should be extradite. On each occasion he has appealed the decision. The first extradition ruling was handed down in February 2011, while his second appeal in the high court was dismissed last November due to the seriousness of the alleged crimes.

Assange could still appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, further delaying his extradition.

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