Assange can take appeal to UK Supreme Court

5 Dec 2011

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

UK judges have ruled that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can ask the Supreme Court for the right to appeal against his extradition to Sweden.

Assange last month lost a legal battle preventing his extradition to Sweden to face charges over alleged sex offences.

However, judges this morning ruled that his case raises “a question of general public importance” and he can now directly ask the Supreme Court in the UK to look at his case.

Assange claims his arrest was politically motivated and linked to the whistle-blowing website he founded, WikiLeaks, which reached notoriety last year for publishing diplomatic cables.

He also questions the validity of the European Arrest Warrant issued by a public prosecutor in Sweden.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com