Who is the person who leak the info and how you know he is in
jail?
Swedish authorities said Tuesday they will appeal a British
judge's decision to grant bail for WikiLeaks founder Julian
Assange.
The decision means the 39-year-old Australian will remain behind
bars for at least another 48 hours.
Britain's High Court will now hear the Swedish appeal, although
it is not clear when.
District Judge Howard Riddle granted Assange bail earlier
Tuesday.
Less than two hours later, prosecution lawyer Gemma Lindfield
told the court she would challenge the decision, but did not
elaborate.
Assange's lawyer, Mark Stephens, said it was "unfortunate" that
"the Swedes won't abide by the umpire's decision," and that his
client's relief at the bail ruling had evaporated.
"They clearly will not spare any expense but to keep Mr. Assange
in jail," Stephens told journalists outside the City of Westminster
Magistrates' Court in London. "This is really turning into a show
trial."
Before the appeal was announced, it appeared as if Assange would
be free to leave prison once he posted bail, which was set at
£200,000 ($317,663).
Assange is wanted for questioning by Swedish police in
connection with a sex-crimes investigation.
He has been imprisoned at Wandsworth Prison in southwest London
since his arrest on Dec. 7. He was denied bail at a hearing that
day after Riddle said he had "substantial grounds" to believe
Assange would not appear for his next hearing.
Assange would have had to abide by strict bail conditions as he
fights extradition to Sweden in a sex-crimes investigation, the
judge ruled.
Under the conditions, Assange would have been required to wear
an electronic monitoring device, live at a registered address,
report to police every evening and adhere to two four-hour curfews
a day.
Even without the appeal, it would have been "impossible to say
how long it will take before [Assange] is out," his lawyer Mark
Stephens told reporters after the bail hearing.
"Two hundred thousands pounds can't be paid by cheque, because
cheques take seven days to clear," Stephens said. "So we have to go
around and try and find money in cash and then have it delivered
here to the court.
"And until this court is in possession of £200,000, an innocent
man stays in jail."
A number of high-profile figures have offered to contribute to
Assange's surety.
Prosecutors had tried to argue that Assange was a flight risk
with "the means and ability to abscond."
His lawyers prevailed by outlining a series of strict conditions
including a daily curfew.
Assange is wanted for questioning by Swedish police on
accusations of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. The
crimes are alleged to have happened with two women in separate
incidents in August.
His lawyers said he continues to deny the accusations and will
fight his extradition to Sweden. A two-day extradition hearing has
been scheduled for early February.
Assange has steadfastly denied the accusations, suggesting the
charges stem not from his actions but were provoked by his
organization's release of thousands of confidential, and often
embarrassingly frank, U.S. diplomatic documents.
In a statement given to his mother to release to Australian
reporters, Assange suggested his commitment to WikiLeaks, and to
releasing documents, was "unfaltering."
"I remain true to the ideals," he wrote. "This circumstance
shall not shake them. If anything this process has increased my
determination that they are true and correct."
Christine Assange flew to London for her son's court appearance
and was seated in the courtroom's public gallery.
Lawyers, journalists and celebrities packed the courtroom.
Filmmaker Ken Loach and socialite Jemima Khan were there; each had
offered to contribute £20,000 ($31,835) toward Assange's bond.
Other potential contributors include U.S. filmmaker Michael Moore,
human rights advocate Bianca Jagger, Australian journalist Phil
Knightley and British politician Lord Matthew Evans.
Assange was transported to the courthouse from Wandsworth Prison
in the city's southwest at least two hours before his appearance.
He has been held there, reportedly in solitary confinement, since
his arrest.
Supporters across the street from the courthouse on Tuesday
cheered when the bail ruling was announced. Dozens had arrived
earlier in the morning, carrying signs reading "Free Assange."
Assange's arrest a week ago came six days after the WikiLeaks
website began publishing the controversial diplomatic cables.
Interpol, the France-based international police organization,
placed Assange on its most-wanted list on Nov. 30 after Sweden
issued an arrest warrant against him.
