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metronews.ca
news
WEEKEND, DECEMBER 17-19, 2010
WikiLeaks founder gets released on bail
KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Assange heads to English country mansion Could potentially publish more leaked U.S. diplomatic cables The once-elusive WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was freed on bail Thursday as Sweden pushes its case for extradition and the United States considers its own criminal charges over his website’s release of secret information. The silver-haired Australian emerged from London’s neo-Gothic High Court building after a tense scramble to gather the money and signatures needed to free him. Assange — who’s been out of the public eye for more than a month — told supporters he would pursue his efforts to bring government secrets to light.
“It’s great to smell the fresh air of London again,” he said to cheers from outside the court. “I hope to continue my work.” Assange is now headed to Ellingham Hall, a 10bedroom mansion about 195 kilometres northeast of central London that belongs to Vaughan Smith, a WikiLeaks supporter and founder of London’s Frontline Club for journalists. Assange will have to observe a curfew, wear an electronic tag and report to police every day — restrictions imposed by High Court Justice Duncan Ouseley. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holds up a court document for the media after he was released on bail outside the High Court in London, Thursday.
Accusations Assange is accused of rape, molestation and unlawful coercion. Assange’s lawyers say the allegations stem from a dispute over “consensual but unprotected sex.” Lawyer Gemma Lindfield, acting for Sweden, said given Assange’s nomadic lifestyle, there was “a real risk” he would flee. But the judge said when Assange arrived in Britain, he had asked his lawyers to contact police so they would know where he was.
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