Sweden seeks to detain WikiLeaks founder

SWEDISH prosecutors said they will seek an international arrest warrant for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after a court approved their request yesterday to detain him for questioning in a rape case.

The Australian is suspected of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion in an investigation that stems from his encounters with two women during a visit to Sweden in August. He has denied the allegations and insisted his sexual relations with the women were consensual.

His lawyers lashed out at Swedish investigators yesterday, saying Assange had offered to be questioned before he left Sweden and later in Britain, in person or by phone, videoconferencing, email, or to make a sworn statement.