Several hours after the founder Julian Assange WikiLeaks was arrested in London on the European warrant issued by Sweden, he appeared before a British judge who refused to arrange for her security. Assange, 39, told the judge at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court he will fight extradition back to Sweden. Assange was arrested at 9.30 am local time (4:30 am ET) Tuesday, after he surrendered to police in London.
He was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual harassment and coercion legal in Sweden, and although his plans to fight extradiction, he still could be sent back to Sweden to stand trial there.
The accusations against him involving two women who met in Sweden during the summer. Assange accused of rape and sexual abuse in one case and sexual abuse and coercion in violation of the law in other countries.
Assange flatly denied the allegations, the attorney in a claim originating from a 'dispute over consensual but unprotected sex. 'His lawyers also said the Swedish investigation has been turned into a' political action. 'One of his lawyers Assange's - Jennifer Robinson - says the founder of WikiLeaks voluntary offer to cooperate with prosecutors Sweden because he was desperate to clear his name,' but his offer was declined.
Since the scandal broke, WikiLeaks has seen the bank account was canceled and his Web site was attacked. The U.S. government has launched a criminal investigation, said the group was endangering U.S. national security and compromised diplomatic efforts around the world.
A spokesman for WikiLeaks called Assange arrest is an assault on media freedom and said it will not prevent the organization to release more secret documents. [Via RadarOnline.com.]