Julian Assange begins appeal

LAWYERS for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange have lodged papers at the High Court for an appeal against a ruling that he should be extradited to Sweden to face sex offence charges.

A court official confirmed the papers had been lodged, but no date has yet been set for a hearing.

The extradition ruling was made last month at Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court in south-east London.

The 39-year-old Australian is accused of sexually assaulting one woman and raping another during a week-long visit to Stockholm in August.

It is not known whether a hearing at the High Court will take place before the Easter break.