Protesters demand freedom for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as he arrives at court

WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson was outside the court and said he was “hesitant to be hopeful”

Protesters outside the Old Bailey (Luciana Guerra/PA)

Drums were beaten as crowds of protesters roared outside London's Old Bailey demanding WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is freed ahead of his extradition hearing.

More than 100 protesters, many brandishing placards saying “don’t extradite Assange”, and members of the media gathered outside the London court this morning in support of Assange’s fight against extradition to the United States.