Assange victory ‘would turn law on its head’

Swedish authorities rejected arguments by Wiki- Leaks founder Julian Assange against his extradition, telling Britain’s top court that if he won the case it could turn European law on its head.

The 40-year-old Australian — making what is almost certainly his last appearance before British judges — says the Swedish prosecutor who ordered his arrest in December 2010 over rape allegations was not a valid judicial authority.

But Clare Montgomery, the lawyer for the Swedish authorities, told the Supreme Court in London that at least eight countries would be barred from using the European arrest warrant (EAW) system if Assange’s appeal were allowed.