Assange bailed

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted conditional bail today after appearing in court on an extradition warrant.

The 39-year-old Australian is wanted by prosecutors in Sweden over claims that he sexually assaulted two women.

He was remanded in custody a week ago but his legal team made a successful appeal against the decision, with several well-known backers again offering thousands of pounds in sureties.

Assange was bailed on condition he provide a security of £200,000 (€235,000) to the court and guarantee two sureties, each of £20,000.

His passport must remain with the police and he cannot apply for international travel, District Judge Howard Riddle said.

He was told he must abide by a curfew and stay at an address in Suffolk.

He will be tagged and must also report to a local police station every evening.

He is due to appear at the same court on January 11.

The prosecution was given two hours to lodge an appeal. In the meantime, Assange will remain in custody.

The judge's bail decision was welcomed by supporters of the WikiLeaks founder outside the court.

Socialite Jemima Khan, who earlier offered a surety on behalf of Assange, said: “It’s great news. I can hear them all cheering outside.”

Novelist Tariq Ali said: “I’m very pleased that he is out. I think the extradition charges should now be dealt with in the same way.

“His barrister made the same point, that this is not rape under English law and there is absolutely no reason for extradition.

“We are delighted he is out and he should never have been locked up in the first place.”

Author Yvonne Ridley said: “It is a victory for common sense. If he had been refused bail, it would have meant the court had become a political arena.”

Gavin MacFadyen, of the Centre for Investigative Journalism, said: “I am very pleased and it is about time.

“We do not know what the prosecution will do now. And there is still a possibility of an appeal.”

Assange appeared in the dock in a black suit and white shirt.

He waved to his lawyer as he entered the packed court room and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address in Victoria, Australia.

Lawyer Gemma Lindfield, on behalf of the Swedish authorities, reminded the court it had “already found that Mr Assange is a flight risk”.

She said: “It’s submitted that nothing has changed since last week to allay the court’s fears in this regard.”

But Judge Riddle disagreed, telling the court that in fact two matters had changed since he made his decision to remand Assange in custody last Tuesday.

Firstly, the former hacker’s address had not been verified by the police when he appeared in the dock last week, whereas the matter of his residence had “now been dealt with completely and entirely to my satisfaction”, he said.

Secondly, a question mark hung last week over his entry into the country, with Ms Lindfield saying there was no trace of him coming into the UK.

But the judge said this matter had also been cleared up now and no longer troubled him.

Assange will reside at the address of Captain Vaughan Smith, founder of the Frontline Club in Paddington, west London.

Cpt Smith, who described Assange as “hugely courageous”, offered a surety of £20,000.

Another backer also offered a surety of £20,000.

Speaking on the steps of the court building, human rights activist Bianca Jagger, who also offered a surety, said she was delighted.

She said: “I was very pleased with what happened and I am glad that due process has taken place. I trust the British legal system and I hope justice will be done.

“I am here because, as a human rights campaigner, I believe in due process, freedom of expression and justice.

“Therefore I am very concerned that this case has been politicised and if the police have any accusations, they should let him answer for them.”

Ms Jagger added that she did not agree with everything Assange has done but, like anyone else, he should be treated fairly.

Filmmaker Ken Loach, also speaking outside court, said it was “very good news” that Assange had bail but it remained to be seen if the Swedish authorities would launch an appeal.

Asked how he would react to an appeal, he said: “It will show there is some vindictiveness that goes beyond this particular case.

“It would show there is some political element to the case, as clearly he is entitled to be given bail.”

Ms Khan left court without commenting further, accompanied by a friend.

Veteran campaigning journalist John Pilger said Assange had been held in solitary confinement since arriving at Wandsworth Prison.

He said: “He called me from Wandsworth Prison at the weekend and his state of mind seemed pretty good.

“He is in solitary confinement. He is in what is known as a punishment block and we are not quite sure why.

“He is an innocent man who has not been charged with anything, sitting in solitary confinement – what is going on?"